Kay Burzinski

PERRYSBURG, Ohio - Kay Burzinski, 81, of Toledo, passed away June 10, 2017, at Heartland of Perrysburg Nursing Home.

She was born in Pence, Wis., the oldest of Anton and Catherine Calvi's two daughters. In 1953, Kay graduated from J.E. Murphy High School in Hurley, Wis., and headed to the University of Wisconsin's Madison campus to study music. Four years later, she graduated from the university Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Music degree, and started her career teaching elementary music in Kenosha, Wis.

Kay left teaching to marry her college sweetheart, Ed; they moved to the East Coast, where Ed started his career as a civil engineer and Kay focused her energy and attention on raising their family. Ed's project management job relocated the family many times and brought them to Toledo in 1968.

In spite of her busy life, Kay kept her passion for teaching music active. While raising her family she participated in several church choirs, taught private piano lessons, was the volunteer director of the Little Flower Catholic Church choir, ushered at musical performances at the Stranahan Theatre and accompanied students during contest performances.

Kay formally restarted her music career in 1974 as the music teacher at Hawkins and Glann Elementary Schools. She shared her love of music with generations of Hawkins/Glann students, where she was named "Outstanding Music Educator" from the Toledo Public Schools. She demonstrated the value of music education to all who were involved in the school system. Families enjoyed her elaborate school musicals and holiday performances until she retired in 1995.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ed; and son, Mike.

She is survived by daughters, Diana (Daniel) Buechel and Barb (Larry) Hartliep; son, Joe (Karen) Burzinski; sister, Pat (Howie) Brahmstedt; numerous grandchildren and nieces and nephews; and companion, Joe Reinhart.

Family and friends can help celebrate Kay's life on Friday, June 16, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Thomas Wisniewski Funeral Home in Toledo, and Saturday, June 17, at Little Flower Catholic Church, with in-state visitation at 10 a.m., and a Mass of the Resurrection at 11 a.m.

An informal luncheon will follow the church service on Saturday; luncheon directions will be given at the service.

Kay requested any memorial contributions be made in her name to Toledo Botanical Gardens.