Kay Ann Schaller Sergent was born in Lima, OH to Willard Schaller and Helen Thomas on October 27, 1938. The family moved to Maumee, OH and she attended Monclova Elementary School. Kay graduated from Anthony Wayne High School in 1956. She wanted to become a policewoman because she wanted to help people. Since this was not a popular vocation for women at the time, Kay decided to study Social Work at Ohio University. During college, Kay worked for the Lucas County Child Welfare Board. For three summers, she worked in Curtice, OH at the Stokley Van Camp factory, providing programs for migrants’ families working at the factory. She initiated programs for children, teenagers, and mothers. On December 17, 1960 she married Dorsey Gene Sergent and enjoyed 63 years of marriage together.
Together, in 1961 Kay and Dorsey bought the G&M Drugstore near the four corners in downtown Bowling Green. A few years later they opened Dorsey’s Drugs on E. Wooster Street, “right by the tracks”.
Continuing her social work interests, Kay worked for the United Christian Fellowship for 15 years where she was the Director of Community Services. She trained and supervised Bowling Green State University students to volunteer for programs such as tutoring children living in Perrysburg Heights, mentoring Hope House residents, visiting the elderly, and working with special needs children and adults at Wood Lane School and Industries. Her most satisfying work was founding the Wood County Literacy Council, where community and student volunteers were trained to teach English to illiterate adults in the county. They also helped foreign college students and their spouses with English conversation. She was a member of the Bowling Green Sesquicentennial Committee and the Sesquicentennial History Book Committee.
Kay’s work was celebrated by being awarded the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Citizens award in 1996, and was inducted into the Anthony Wayne High School Hall of Fame in 2015.
Kay earned an Associate Degree in Applied Business from Owens Technical College in 1992. She worked for several years at BGSU and retired from the university after having spent her last 10 years working as a secretary in the Psychology Department.
Kay was a lifetime member of the Wood County Historical Museum and was a member of the first Living History Program Committee. Other community involvement during her life included 54 years as a member in the League of Women Voters (serving twice as president), P.E.O. EJ Chapter, and BG Woman’s Club. She was a long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church where she taught Sunday School for 17 years, serving in the toddler and infant rooms. Playing Bridge was her favorite hobby and she played in four different clubs over the years.
Kay is survived by her husband Dorsey Sergent, son Dean (Amy) Sergent, Oklahoma City, and daughters Denise Sergent, Minneapolis, Dana (Michael) Nemeth, and Delaine (Tom) Adams, Bowling Green, and grandchildren Miriam “Mimi” Sergent-Leventhal (Mia Gil Epner), Ezra Sergent-Leventhal, David Sergent, Jonathan Sergent, Jack Sergent, Cole Nemeth, Miles Nemeth, Gwendolyn Landry (Michael Roberts), Magdelin Landry, and step granddaughter Kaitlin (Devin) Pittman and her children Raylee, Logan, and Jaxson.
A celebration of life service will be held on Sunday March 17, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 126 S. Church St. Bowling Green, Ohio 43402. Visitation will be held on Sunday at the church from 2:00 p.m. until the time of the service at 4:00 p.m. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Dunn Funeral Home in Bowling Green.
Memorials can be sent to the Wood County Museum (13660 County Home Road, Bowling Green, OH 43402), or the Bowling Green P.E.O. Chapter EJ local scholarship fund (make check payable to Chapter EJ and mail to Sharon Libby, 618 Rosewood Drive, BG, OH 43402).
