Kathryn Meek

Kathryn Meek, 93, formerly of Port Washington and most recently Naples. Fla., was called to her heavenly home on Feb. 20, 2025.

Kay was born June 26, 1931, in Hillsboro, Wis., to Dr. and Mrs. Vincent Cubela. Her father was a large animal veterinarian, while her mother Orla (Olson) was a respected homemaker and teacher.

Kay was an only child and exceptional student, earning valedictorian honors from her high school Class of 1949. She went on to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she earned a bachelor of arts degree.   

While attending UW, she met and married her late husband Stuart Grady, and in 1957 their son Steven was born.

The family were active members of the First Congregational Church in Port Washington, where Kay sang in the choir.  Her love of music led to her teaching piano from her home to scores of local students.   

Kay was also a travel expert, specializing in Caribbean destinations. This hobby became a business as she became a travel agent for friends and family.

Kay remained active throughout her life through travel, golf, dinner dance club and bridge clubs along the way.

Kay considered one of her most important contributions in the community was to serve on the Port Washington-Saukville School Board in the 1970s.

Her teaching experience and focus on educational excellence would play out in their own family, with her son Steve earning an undergraduate degree at Northwestern University followed by medical school at Tulane University before forming his medical practice in South Windsor, Conn.  Sadly, Dr. Grady’s life was cut short in 2009, and Kay has created the Dr. Steven V. Grady Memorial Scholarship at Port Washington High School.

In 1987, Kay married Robert Meek and shortly thereafter moved to the Pelican Bay area in Naples, Fla.  She became a stepmother to Connie Meek (husband Dave Belling), Tom Meek (wife Elaine) and the late Cindi Quintard, as well as a stepgrandmother and stepgreat-grandmother.

Kay and Bob had a wide circle of friends in Naples and enjoyed their gatherings for dinner. They traveled extensively with winter Caribbean cruises and a month in Carmel, Calif., during summers. They were together for nearly 20 years until Bob passed.

After Bob’s passing, Kay was once again lucky in love, marrying Edmund MacDonald and adding four more stepchildren, Mark MacDonald (wife Leigh), Doug MacDonald (wife Mary), Jay MacDonald (wife Debbie) and Kelly Hediger, as well as many more stepgrandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Kay and Ed were together for nearly 10 years and enjoyed gathering with friends, visiting and hosting family and Caribbean cruises. They really enjoyed the several years they had together in Bentley Village.   

A special thanks to the Bentley Village Care Center staff for making Kay’s final years comfortable and enjoyable. She was bright, cheerful and happy during her time in their care.

A private celebration of life will be held in Naples, Fla., on May 1 with internment at Naples United Church of Christ.  

In lieu of flowers, should friends desire, scholarship contributions may be made to the Community Education Foundation of Port Washington-Saukville Inc. (CEF of PW-S, P.O. Box 121, Port Washington, WI 53074), and reference Dr. Steven V. Grady Memorial Scholarship Fund.