Obituary of Margaret Lucille DeKay

Margaret Lucille (Martin) DeKay, 97, of Gulfport, Florida, passed away January 2, 2024. Lucille was born on May 16, 1926, in Cleveland, Ohio to Mary (Lako) Martin and Dan Martin, and was raised in Waukegan, Illinois. She married Robert E. DeKay in 1948, and they moved to Dearborn, Michigan, upon Bob taking a teaching position in Dearborn.  

Lucille was mostly a homemaker, but worked various part-time jobs at knit shops, needlework and quilt shops over the years to enhance her skills and hobbies. Her knitting skills lead her to teach evening adult education knitting classes for many years.  Her family and friends have been the recipients of many quilted treasures, embroideries, knit and crocheted items over the years. Bob and Lucille retired to Gulfport, Florida in 1979, where Lucille was an avid member of the Suncoast Quilting Circle and continued her quilt making passions.

Lucille was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, of 68 years of marriage, who passed in 2016. Lucille is survived by her children Roberta (David) Chase, David (Joan) DeKay and Jeanne (William) Harris; Six grandchildren, David James (Suzanne) DeKay, Bryan Athay, Lauren Athay, Michele (Brooks) Tomlinson, Kevin (Jennifer) Trahey and Spencer (Alissa) Trahey; and nine great-grandchildren.