Kathleen “Kay” Gerrity Bullard peacefully left this earth Monday, January 27, 2020, at her home in Newtown, Conn. She was with her loyal and loving companion of 30-plus years, Nick Rubertino, and their beloved and ferocious feline, Tiger. Kay was an incredibly remarkable woman who gave and received much “nurturing healing love.”

Kay survived a tragic accident that took the lives of her husband and two little girls, Kathy and Marie, ages 2 and 4, in New Haven decades ago. Kay was paralyzed and spent several years in a wheelchair. She was told she would never walk again, but with her usual spunk and determination, she made an almost full recovery. Kay lived her life in humble service, giving love to all those who were blessed enough to come in contact with her and making this world a better place.

Kay loved animals. The golden eagles and raccoons in her backyard would bring their babies to meet Kay on her deck. She would nurse birds back to health. Kay loved gardening and using new technology to grow her own vegetables every year. She was a voracious reader and read stacks of books per week. She also loved NASCAR. One of her favorite things was to go see the car races with Nick. Her favorite driver was Dale Earnhardt. When he died, she followed his son. She was also a Yankees and Giants fan and enjoyed watching the games on TV.

Kay was born November 22, 1947, in Chelsea, Mass. The oldest of 23 children, she graduated from Chelsea High School early and attend Yale University as the youngest in her class. Kay served her country in the military. She wanted to become an interior designer but ended up a lawyer and accountant. She managed several H&R Block locations before running her own business. Kay trained CPAs and knew everything there was to know about taxes. Her clients became her lifelong friends. She managed a fund she named LSTGL. She loved to cook — everything but potatoes, as she had to peel 50 pounds every day growing up for her siblings.

Kay was a master knitter and crocheter and ran a business called KraftKreations. Kay traveled to craft shows all over New England. She made unique and beautiful designs, including jewelry. Kay was a gemologist! She spent the last decade in and out of hospitals and would knit gifts for the staff and other patients during her convalescence. She also knitted and donated beautiful little outfits for stillborn babies.

Kay rode horses and was a stand-in for the Olympics one year. She loved to swim and would do so every chance she got. Kay was an incredible human being, brilliant, talented, a model of kindness and caring, and leaves a void that would take many human beings to fill!

We will have a celebration of life per Kay’s wishes after tax season this coming April. Those interested, please contact Nick at 203-426-3358 or Scarlett at wildrosefarm1740@gmail.com.

Please send donations to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, National Processing Center, P O Box 1245, Albert Lea MN 56007.