KATHERINE Kay BILMS SULLIVAN, 92, of BRADLEY BEACH, died early Friday, March 3, 2006 at Sunrise Assisted Living in Wall and went, finally, to join her beloved husband and lifelong best friend, Jim. Kay, as everyone called her, was born in Ocean Grove to Kezia and Charles Bilms. She was a proud graduate of Neptune High School. A lifelong member of St. Paul's Methodist Church in Ocean Grove, she followed in her mother's footsteps teaching Sunday school there to several generations of youngsters. She was a member of the church's Frances Stern Circle until her death. Kay had also served as president of the Bradley Beach School PTA and, during her tenure, had helped institute sight and hearing tests for every student. A staunch Republican, she worked for the party on a local level through many campaigns. She also was an active member of the Jersey Shore Women's Club, a member of NARFE, an organization of retired government workers, and a Girl Scout leader. Her late husband, Jim, was the sports writer for the Asbury Park Press and the man for whom the Jim Sullivan award, given every year by the paper, was named. She was usually seen sitting beside him as he covered the local high school football and basketball games, and at many area sports awards banquets. In addition to her husband and parents, Kay was predeceased by her sisters, Marjorie Bilms and Ruth Douglas. Surviving is her sister, Alice Michak of Ocean Grove. Her family was the most important ingredient in Kay's life, and those she leaves behind will cherish memories of gathering at her house for dinner every Sunday evening, a way she felt would serve to keep all the members connected. As the family grew, so did her dining room table until it stretched into the living room. There was always space for one more. That family includes her son, James and his wife Iris of Lake Park, Fla.; her daughter, Betty and her husband Bud Rushton of Spring Lake Heights; her daughter, Patricia and her husband Joseph Irvin of Wall; as well as grandchildren, Bridget Furnari and her husband Robert of Long Branch, Joseph Irvin of Vineland, Thomas Rushton and his wife Kim of North Carolina, and Todd Rushton and his wife Karmen of Wisconsin; and great-grandchildren, Hudson Furnari, and James, Robert, Kathryn, Zachary, and Madison Rushton.
Kay loved to travel, first with her husband, Jim, and then with family or friends. She was always up for a new adventure. The seashore, especially at the north end of Bradley Beach, was her second home in the summer, and she and Jim could be found there surrounded by neighbors, old friends, and family members every sunny day all summer long. She was a gifted seamstress. Her greatest achievement was when she created her daughter Betty's wedding gown, carefully sewing each seed pearl and piece of lace on by hand. Kay was a walker and could be found, even during the last years of her life, walking the Bradley Beach and Ocean Grove boardwalks, often for several miles at a time. Music was important to Kay. She played the piano and loved nothing more than an old-fashioned song-fest after her family dinners with everyone gathered around, singing the old hymns and songs while she played.

To honor Kay's love of her church and of children, the family has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be made to the Sunday school at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 80 Embury Ave., Ocean Grove, NJ 07756. In addition, gifts may be made to the Francis Asbury Manor, 70 Stockton Ave., Ocean Grove, NJ 07756, in thanks for the happy years she spent there after leaving her home in Bradley Beach. Friends were invited to visit from 2 to 4 p.m. on March 17th at The Ocean Grove Memorial Home, 118 Main Ave., Ocean Grove. A memorial celebration of her life was held at 2 p.m. Saturday. March 18, at Francis Asbury Manor, 70 Stockton Ave., Ocean Grove.