Kay Croshaw Obituary

Kay Croshaw (Smith), 85, passed away at home in Ellensburg, WA, on December 7, 2025. She is survived by her children Cindy Scheelsmith, Clint Smith, Rhoda Crispin and Crystal Smith, as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Born in Yankton, South Dakota, she was the daughter of Frank and Ellen Smith. As the youngest sibling, Kay grew up in a loving and exuberant family of 7, cherished and doted upon on by all. She graduated from Nettleton Business College in Sioux Falls and worked as a secretary for Elementary Schools.

The Go-Fish & Pinochle Years

In 1964, Kay and her husband (Ian Smith 1939-2014) relocated to Ellensburg, WA. She devoted her time to children's activities, teaching piano, baking bread, growing vegetables, canning, cooking meals and sewing clothes and costumes. During the empty nest years, she once remarked how amazing it is that you can buy anything you want from the grocery store, already prepared. That marked the end of cooking, except for potlucks and holidays. For fun, she played Pinochle with friends, square danced, and learned to paint. You might have seen her selling Corn on the Cob at the Junior Women's booth at the Ellensburg fair.

The Crazy 8 years

In 1974 Kay married Ned Croshaw (Walter Ned Croshaw 1936-2005) creating a blended family that included Walter, Dean and Alan Croshaw, and Tammy Long. They moved to Colville WA, where they renovated a beautiful log home and experimented unsuccessfully with a hobby farm. After a few unfortunate events with pigs, chickens and a horse named Kinder, they decided that life was best lived sharing their home with only their beloved cat. They also invested in rental properties, where they built financial value through hard work and sweat equity.

The Double Solitaire years

After the last child was launched, Kay and Ned sold everything and moved to England, working for the American Community school. During their time in England, they traveled throughout Europe, with Kay collecting little thimbles from countless cities.

The Hand & Foot years

When it came time to retire, Kay and Ned searched for the perfect place to call home. They ultimately chose Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, a place that offered beautiful landscapes and a vibrant community. Kay's siblings also relocated to Hot Springs Village, where they shared laughter, meals and endless games of Hand & Foot. After a 40-year break, Kay decided to play the clarinet again and eventually joined the Hot Springs Community Band. Kay's active lifestyle also included Kayaking. Perhaps you saw her paddling her red Kayak in the local lakes.

The Liverpool years

Kay's love for tennis remained strong, and she played several times a week in singles and doubles leagues. She learned to play Liverpool, which became the family card game of choice. Kay also fell in love with tango and, with her partner Ernie Buck (Ernest Whitfield Buck 1930-2024) danced at every opportunity, decked out in elegant Tango dresses and high heels. She was an active member of the Unitarian Universalist church in Hot Springs Village. A lifelong learner, Kay was passionately curious about the world around her, keeping a copy of How Do They Do That? nearby for reference.

Acrostics

When the card-playing world-traveling years ended, Kay returned home to Ellensburg to live close to her children. She remained skillful at deciphering oblique clues in acrostics puzzles. To her final days she was a devoted MSNBC viewer, though she rarely spoke about politics.

Legacy of Love and Kindness

Kay personified loving-kindness in all her relationships, accepted others as they were without judgment, and demonstrated quiet resilience through all life's challenges. Through her character she modeled the values of hard work, integrity, kindness, grace and unconditional love.

Kay once told her children "I'm going to be away for a bit, but if you need me call Maria's Tango House in Argentina." Let's think of her there, dancing with joy.