M. Kay Warfel

M. Kay Warfel, 71, of West Grove, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 5, 2026, at Lancaster General Hospital after a hard-fought and courageous battle with cancer. Born in Lancaster, she was the daughter of the late Orlene D. and Martha H. Warfel. After high school, she pursued her education at Penn State University with a bachelor's degree in Speech Pathology & Audiology. She was a hard-working woman who used her perseverance to go even further with attending and graduating from the University of Oregon, where she obtained her master's degree in Speech Pathology, her MBA from Iona University, and eventually her Ph.D. from Temple University. This eventually led her to a lifelong career as a speech pathologist and evaluator, which allowed her to work across the United States until she retired in 2019. She was a proud member of the New York City Board of Education for 16 years where her knowledge and experience bettered the lives of thousands in the education system.

Kay was an avid knitter who also crocheted and sewed. The mountains were where she found peace and could be found with her nose in a good book. While the serenity of the mountains provided Kay with the R&R she needed, she would be seen cruising around in her Pontiac, which she was particularly fond of in red. She loved a good walk and even a run, with a few marathons under her belt. A true love for her was track and field, going from high school, continuing through college as a manager, and even allowed her to work in the press box at several different Olympic Games, as well as refereeing. Her love for sports did not stop there; she was also an avid Penn State and Oregon Football fan, along with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Trips to Longwood Gardens and Gettysburg were frequent for Kay, and during these visits, she would make friends with nearly anyone and everyone who was willing to hold a conversation. Her friendly demeanor gave her a connection with not only people but animals as well. Kay's love for her chickens created such a bond that they were more like pets. In her free time, she enjoyed a good movie, some of her favorites being Mary Poppins, Gone with the Wind, but nothing topped The Wizard of Oz.

Surviving is a son, Thomas "Tom" Warfel, a brother, Douglas "Doug" husband of Irene "Rene" Warfel, as well as step nieces and nephews, Michael and David Leimbach, Laura, wife of Jeff Rowe, as well as numerous cousins and friends who will miss her dearly.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Kay's funeral service at Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz PA 17543, on Monday, July 13, 2026, at 4:00 PM. There will be a viewing and time of visitation with the family from 2:00 PM until the time of service. Interment will be in Conestoga Memorial Park Cemetery, on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 10:00 AM. Those desiring may make memorial contributions in Kay's memory to The American Cancer Society. To send the family online condolences please visit, www.snyderfuneralhome.com.