Kay Anne Bambeck

Kay Anne (Gray) Bambeck, age 75, passed away peacefully in the early morning on January 24th, 2026, at Aultman Woodlawn Compassionate Care in Canton, where she had been receiving comfort from their caring staff and her loving family.

For 11 years, Kay fought the fight against angiosarcoma with her wonderful care team at The James Cancer Hospital. She captivated everyone and made a lasting impression with her upbeat spirit and infectious personality. Kay reached many of her goals and knocked many things off her bucket list until the time to rest and let the pain go away finally came.

Kay arrived as a belated Christmas gift on December 28th, 1950, to J. Richard “Dick” and Mary Ann (Hanhart) Gray. Though she was an only child, she served as the bonus “cool” older sister to her 3 younger cousins who followed her around like the pied piper at Grandma’s Sunday chicken dinners. Her approach to life was fitting for a 1969 graduate of Dover High School, live life so it knows you're there and have no regrets!

Her 55-year romance with Mack L. Bambeck started with an innocent skiing date on Tappan Lake, from which they became inseparable from that moment forward. They added 3 children to their family: Craig (Glenda) Bambeck, Doug (Faith) Bambeck, and Marcie (Charles) Castricone, all of Dover. They, in turn, blessed Kay and Mack with 6 grandchildren, Corey (Taylor) and Dylan Bambeck, Max and Natalie Bambeck, Grace and Nick Castricone, and, most recently, her treasured great-grandson, Vince. Holding him in her arms was the final goal she accomplished. We can’t fail to mention her beloved dog and constant lap companion, Zoey, as well.

Kay was the ultimate matriarch. Not a day went by when family members didn’t check in at least once, filling her in on who was where, who was doing what, and what was for dinner. She was at everyone’s sporting events, cheering (loudly) and proud, no matter the result. As a mother, grandma, and aunt, you always had her unconditional love; she might be curious about some of your decisions, but she did not judge. No matter what role Kay served in your life, Mom, Grandma, or Aunt Kay, she was the fun one, the cool one, the one your friends talked about, the one you couldn’t wait to see.

Friend or foe, you always knew where you stood with Kay. If you made a good first impression and never messed with anyone she cared about, all was going to be good. She cared greatly about those she loved and befriended. Even with her own struggles, your well-being or the well-being of ones she knew you cared for was important to her.

Kay and Mack loved their time at the condo in Florida, boating on Lake Erie, taking cruises with friends, annual trips south with the Class of 69, exploring this wonderful country from Maine to Alaska, and a cross-country RV adventure.

Kay was a lifelong member of Grace Lutheran Church, a forever supporter of her beloved Tornadoes and Buckeyes, never missed “It’s A Wonderful Life”, loved a shopping trip to Amish Country, and inherited the skill to whip up a tasty batch of cream chipped beef. There may have been a little bit of an ornery streak, but she came by that honestly.

For those of us who were fortunate to have Kay in our lives, the void is going to be great, the pain is going to be severe, but we are fortunate to have and will cherish the many memories that bring smiles and will aid in our healing.

In addition to her parents and grandparents, Kay was preceded in death by her dear cousin, Susan Hoopingarner.

Memorial visitation will be Wednesday, January 28th, 2026, from 4-7 PM at Geib Funeral Center, 5600 North Wooster Avenue, Dover. A memorial service celebrating Kay’s life will be held at 10:00 AM Thursday, January 29th, 2026, at Grace Lutheran Church in Dover. A private inurnment will take place at a later date at Dover Burial Park alongside her parents.

A very special thank you to her care team at The James for all their devotion and compassion, and to the staff at Aultman Compassionate Care for their support.

Memorial contributions in Kay’s memory may be made to Grace Lutheran Church in Dover, Aultman Compassionate Care Center in Canton, or The James Cancer Hospital in Columbus.