Cover photo for Katherine Vail's Obituary
Katherine Vail Profile Photo
1923 Katherine 2018

Katherine Vail

February 2, 1923 — July 27, 2018

Katherine Anne Cummer Vail, 95, passed away on Friday, July 27th, 2018 at Arden Courts in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Kay was born on Feb 2, 1923 to Clyde L. and Marienne North Cummer in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.

Kay went to Hathaway Brown School, Bradford Junior College and Flora Stone Mather College of Case Western Reserve University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree.

Kay was married for 57 years to H. Lansing Vail, Jr from 1946 until his death in 2003.

Kay had many passions and interests in her life. She was an outdoors enthusiast in every way. She spent almost every summer of her life at her cottage in Indian River on Burt Lake in Michigan. She was a slalom water-skier from the mid 1930's until she was 77. She was famous for teaching anyone and everyone how to waterski.

She was also famous for her amazing collection and knowledge of Native American Porcupine Quill Boxes. Her extensive collection has been donated, by her children, to the Michigan State University Museum in her name. She delivered many lectures on the history of quill boxes and shared the process of how the craft is created.

Kay's favorite pastime was fly fishing and hunting. She and her husband Lansing belonged to the Deep Springs Trout Club in Chardon and the Little Sturgeon Trout Club in Michigan. She would oftencatch the biggest fish of the day and was excited to tell anyone that would listen ... every detail of the adventure. Throughout her home she displayed many of the record setting fish that she caught. She was skilled in tying her own flies and loved to share her techniques with family and friends. In the winter she and Lansing hunted upland game in Northeast Ohio with their beloved Brittany hunting dogs.

Kay was a member of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of Ohio, The Chagrin Valley Hunt Club, and Columbus Beach Club in Indian River, Michigan.

Kay was a long time home Bible class teacher and was a devoted Christian who was a member of Cedar Hill Baptist Church for over 55 years.

Kay was the beloved wife of the late Herman Lansing Vail, Jr.; dear mother of Delia Vail Fritz of Hackettstown, NJ; Robert Lansing Vail (Lynn Rogers Vail) of Moreland Hills, OH and the late Marienne Vail McCausland; dear grandmother of Delia F. Carruthers (Christopher), Kristen Vail Connell (Jesse) and Victoria Vail; dear great grandmother of Vail and Scout Carruthers and Owen, Zoe, Violet and Benjamin Connell.

The family prefers that those who wish may make contributions in her name to Arden Courts, 8100 East Washington St., Chagrin Falls, OH44023-4506; Inland Lakes Educational Foundation, PO Box 2142, Indian River, MI 49749 or The City Mission, 5310 Carnegie Ave., Cleveland, OH 44103.

A Family Memorial Service will be held at a later date.

FRIENDS MAY CALL AT BROWN-FORWARD, 17022 CHAGRIN BLVD., SHAKER HTS., OH FRIDAY, AUGUST 24TH FROM 5-7 PM.

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