Kay Staab

Always sunny and cheerful, Kay (Ross) Staab led a life of service and love. Born in Albany, Oregon to Margaret Ross and Thomas Lemons on July 15, 1933, she grew up as the oldest of nine children. She attended Lebanon high school and later attended U of O for a year, where she was active in theater and sang with the Sweet Adelines. As a young woman, she worked many jobs, including as an egg candler and as a radio jockey with a weekly advice show called "Coffee with Kay," where her charisma, easygoing attitude, and ability to connect with others truly shined. 

She met the love of her life, Mel Staab, and they married in 1953. Kay and Mel owned and operated M & K Nursery, propagating and selling Rhododendrons wholesale to various large retail nurseries throughout the Northwest. Additionally, she earned her cosmetology license and opened a wig shop, "Kay's World of Wigs," in 1971, which remains in business today (now run by her talented granddaughter, Ashley). Over those 50+ years, Kay touched the lives of many people seeking the beauty and self-confidence that comes from having great hair. She chose to go to work until she was 89, not because she needed to, but because she enjoyed helping her clients, loved seeing her friends, and being at the shop gave her immense energy.

She was also a proudly active member of the Salem Eagles Chapter, where she made many friends and served as Madam President twice. Kay enjoyed watching murder mysteries and being outdoors with family and friends. She will be remembered for her sincere smile, her sweet tooth, her sharp sense of humor, her love of a simple burger, being an insatiable reader, and for her unique ability to make anyone she was talking to feel special, like the most important person in the world.

Kay was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Mel Staab, as well as by her parents (Margaret Ross, Thomas Lemons, and step-father Al Jones), her brothers Frank Jones and Duncan Jones, her sister Ginger Jones, and her sister-in-law Shirley Jones. 

Kay leaves behind her daughters Shannon (Rob) Ross of Salem and Stephanie Linn of Newport, and her son Stacey Staab (Shu-fang Cane) of Diamond Bar, CA. Kay is also survived by four bright granddaughters: Leslie (Jason) Brown of Newport, Kellie Linn of Kihei, HI, Kendra (Christopher) Buckingham of Portland, and Ashley Larson of Salem. Kay also had the joy of three amazing great-grandchildren: Holly Kay Brown of Newport, and Oliver and Theodore Buckingham of Portland. Kay will be deeply missed by her loving family, including her brothers Lance, Ty, Mike, and Guy, her sister Kelly, and many nieces and nephews. 

To Kay's many friends and family, thank you for your love and support. A celebration of life ceremony will be held on August 29th, 3 -5pm, at the Pringle Community Hall and Pringle Park (606 Church St SE, Salem, OR 97301). We hope you will join us.