Kay Harline

Kay Lorraine Swingle Harline passed away on October 10 from a series of complications due to aging.Kay was the first of three children born to Earle and Lorraine (Kendrick) Swingle in Santa Monica, California on Aug. 2, 1933. The family lived in the southern California area during most of her childhood, moving in her preteen years to Lake Forest, Illinois and Miami Beach, Florida before moving back to California. Living in mild climates allowed her days to be filled with outdoor activities and games, her favorite of which was climbing trees, especially their apricot tree. This defining trait of playfulness shaped her into an adult who loved playing with her children and grandchildren, perhaps sparking her favorite saying, "I may get older, but I refuse to grow up!" Coming from a close-knit family, their vacations were spent camping in places like Yosemite, Richardson Grove, and Sequoia, where she grew to love the giant Sequoia trees and other natural beauties. Besides her fun-loving parents, she learned much from her grandmothers[,] from playing practical jokes to being dignified in social situations, from baking pies to learning to sew. She also loved comic books so much that she set up a library for kids to borrow from her collection, even instituting fines for late returns. During her teens, she became a Beverly Hills regular, looking for movie stars, collecting their photos and autographs. She was devastated when her Hollywood memorabilia was accidentally donated to the Salvation Army. After graduating from Inglewood's Dorsey High in 1951, Kay attended one year of school at UCLA and then decided to join the work force. While singing in an LDS Singles Choir in 1955, she met Lloyd Harline and they were married nine months later on November 19 in the St. George Temple. Once she met Lloyd, "she never thought about dating anyone else." They made their first home in Redondo Beach, where she was thrust into life as a mother since Lloyd already had two young children. A total of six children would be born in their first ten years of marriage. Kay decided she wanted to have an even number of children so "nobody would feel left out." Despite an early college exit, she continued to take community classes that interested her for her entire adult life. These ranged from shorthand to ballroom dance, and cooking to family history. Perhaps this continuous learning was the beginning of her treasure trove for what became known among her family as Kay's Tips-mostly usable bits of knowledge she would dispense at a moment's notice, from how to put a pillow case on correctly, to how to flirt with boys to proper feet positioning for taking a photo. While Lloyd worked and later earned a Master's Degree at USC, Kay stayed home, often not seeing him until 10:00 p.m. In 1961, they moved their family to the San Joaquin Valley where Lloyd took a job as an elementary school principal. Because of their limited income, Kay used her creativity and resourcefulness to run the household on a small budget. Kay also found opportunities for community and church service. Among her favorites were being a Girl Scout leader, a Boy Scout leader, a member of school PTAs, and teaching the Relief Society. When the younger children were in school, she began working at an Ophthalmologist's office and was valued for her cheerful attitude on the phone and in person, as well as her practical ability on the computers. In 1992, Kay and Lloyd uncharacteristically decided to spontaneously sell their Fresno house and move to Orem, UT. This proved to be a great decision for them since many of their 32 grandchildren later attended BYU or UVU for college. She and Lloyd saw them weekly for family dinners. Kay will also be remembered for her lavish tea parties for grandchildren and/or neighborhood children who were encouraged to have proper manners. Always up for any traveling experience, Kay and Lloyd enjoyed their travels to Europe, the Midwest, the East Coast, various cruises, and their yearly Winter trips to Hawaii. She also valued her membership in the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. Kay's life was a lesson in how to find fun in any situation, how to be loyal to friends and family, and how to love. She will be missed by her survivors: her children Lloyd (Nancy Boice), Karen (Sherman Sowby), Craig (Paula Kelly), Vicki (Terry Jennings), David (Kathryn Sargent), Kathryn (Troy Richey), Steven (Cindy Christensen), and Donald (Benita Chitty); her 32 grandchildren, and 39 great-grandchildren; her siblings Richard Swingle (Cora Johnson), and Janet Bingham; and her friends and neighbors. A viewing will be held at Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary on Friday, October 16 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and also Saturday 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. prior to the services. Funeral services will be on Saturday, October 17 at 10:00 a.m. at the LDS Chapel on 200 N. 1051 E. in Orem.

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