Kay Lois Ables

Kay Lois Cornell Ables, 89 of Ridgefield, died peacefully in her home on Thursday, July 24, 2025. Kay was born in Amityville, NY, the third child of the late William and Myrtle Cornell. From New York, her parents moved to East Hartford, CT where she met her husband, the late Lewis Jerry Ables. Together they moved to New York City before settling in Ridgefield in 1968 to raise their family.

Kay was extremely active in Ridgefield. Her career in community service began in 1971 when she joined the Ridgefield Women’s Club and later became the president. In the 1980’s Kay and her friend started the program R.U.O.K.? This program brings peace of mind with daily phone calls to check on homebound residents and those who simply live alone. It still operates in Ridgefield today.

As a lifelong learner and avid reader, she turned her volunteer efforts to The Keeler Tavern Museum, where she led two major projects, the Hartman Collection of glass plate negatives and the 19th Century diaries of Anna Resseguie, daughter of the Keeler Tavern’s Innkeeper. The Anna Ressiguie project turned Anna’s diaries into a book, A View From the Inn.

Kay was involved with the Ridgefield Archives Committee, which later became the Ridgefield Historical Society. She worked tirelessly in preserving the 18th Century David Scott House, was a member of the Ridgefield 300th Anniversary Committee and the Museum in the Streets project which provides a walking historic trail through Ridgefield.

Kay received the Ridgefield Old Timers’ Community Service Award in 2003, was named Citizen of the Year in 2005 by the Ridgefield Rotary Club and became the town’s second Town Historian in 2006. In her spare time, Kay loved to travel. She explored the world with her friends taking European riverboat trips, exploring castles and learning about people, history (of course) and horticulture in other parts of the world. When not in Europe she cherished visiting friends in other parts of the country. Kay was a member of Jesse Lee Memorial United Methodist Church in Ridgefield and part of the “Older Than Dirt” breakfast group.

Kay was a loving wife to her husband Jerry for over 30 years before his death in 1993. Those who knew them knew that Jerry had been in a life altering car accident in 1969, leaving him handicapped and unable to operate a motor vehicle. Kay not only took care of her husband who continued to work but raised her two children and maintained their home. Her love for gardening was recognized when she earned the title “Master Gardener” through UConn. She planted beautiful gardens around her home, was an avid bird watcher and thoroughly enjoyed sharing her passion for the outdoors with her friends and family. With birds chirping, flowers in bloom and probably a squirrel in her patio feeder, she passed in exactly the place she wanted to be.

Kay leaves behind a daughter Susan Ables Walker and her husband Michael Walker of Duxbury, Massachusetts and a son David Ables of Jericho, Vermont. Kay also leaves behind grandchildren Emily Walker Partain and her husband Tristan of Duxbury, MA, Garrett Lewis Walker and his wife Megan of Boston, MA, Sara Walker of Charlotte, NC and Trent Walker of Nashville, TN. Kay’s ultimate pride was her great-granddaughter and namesake, Lillian Kay Partain.

Family and friends are welcome to gather on Sunday, August 3, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Kane Funeral Home; 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. A funeral service in celebration of Kay's life will take place on Monday, August 4, 2025 at 11:00 AM in Jesse Lee Memorial United Methodist Church; 207 Main Street, Ridgefield. Interment will follow in Saint Mary Cemetery, Ridgefield. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in her honor to either the Ridgefield Historical Society or the Keeler Tavern Museum and History Center.