Luanne Kay Parker

Luanne Kay Parker

  Kay Parker, 72, passed away with her family by her side on November 8, 2023.

A celebration of life for Kay will be held on Friday, November 17, 2023 at Ertel Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m. Appetizers and drinks will be available during the celebration. We look forward to hearing stories and memories.

  Kay was born to the late Paul and Helen Williamson, January 19, 1951, in Denver, Colorado. She graduated from Montezuma Cortez High School in 1969. She attended college later in life with a degree in English and received her teaching degree.

Kay married Charles Hammond in 1971 and they lived together in Cortez for 21 years. They had 3 children together, Julie Gavin of Justin, TX, Matthew Hammond of Wray, CO, and Heath Hammond of Keller, TX.

  In 1993 she met Robert L. Parker of Durango, CO. They married in 1995 and lived together in Coaldale, CO until his passing in 2021. Together they created a life centered around art and traveling. Shortly after getting married, they began advocating for the environment and were actively involved in their community. She loved having her friends and family over for the holidays and took great joy in bringing everyone together to celebrate. Her parties were legendary.

  As you can imagine, after the passing of her beloved husband, Robert and her grandson, Owen in 2021, her life changed drastically. She moved back to her hometown of Cortez in 2023 and reconnected with friends locally and enjoyed her time with them. She especially enjoyed having new experiences such as relearning the piano, painting again, getting involved with the church, and volunteering with her best friend, Rita. We found a quote on her desk that reads, “It is impossible to go on as you were before, so you must go on as you never have.” -Cheryl Strayed

We feel that she embraced this quote as she started her “new” life again in Cortez.

  Kay Parker is survived by her children Julie (Todd) Gavin, Matt (Chrystal) Hammond, Heath (Charish) Hammond and Jennifer Parker; her grandchildren, Mackenzie, Trevis, Logan, Anajia, Portia, Sydney and Edie; and her brother, Kenneth (Beverly) Williamson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Robert and grandson Owen.