Mary Kathryn "Kay" (Roemer) Baganoff

Mary Kathryn “Kay” (Roemer) Baganoff, 96, of Palo Alto, CA, passed away peacefully Wednesday, July 2, 2025. She was born June 11, 1929 in Indiana and was raised in Owensboro, Kentucky. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Baganoff, Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Emeritus at Stanford University, and by her parents, Thomas Roemer, Sr., and Kathryn (Clarke) Roemer Coy of Owensboro, Kentucky. Also preceding her in death were her brothers, Tom Roemer, Jr., Jerry Roemer and Robert Roemer.

Survived by three daughters: Kathryn Baganoff (Chris Uhlik), Vancouver, WA, Deborah Baganoff, Palo Alto, CA, Michelle Baganoff Keith, (Doug), Palo Alto, CA; and six grandchildren for whom she reveled in the role of doting grandmother: Nicole, Tony, Lauren, Andy, Kelly and Joci. Kay is survived by one brother, Bill Roemer, and two sisters, Sue Jordan (Stuart) and Patsy Eblen (Charles), and many Roemer nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by nephew, Mark Baganoff. Surviving are: nephew Fred Baganoff, of Boston, MA; and niece, Lisa (Baganoff) Gaynor (Bob), of New Hope, PA. Kay was the great-aunt to many children, including Robbie and Carly Gaynor.

In high school, Kay was chosen the "Ideal Freshman Girl ’44,” Cutest Senior Girl ’47,” and later, she was selected to deliver the keynote address at the 50th reunion of her 1947 HS class. Her beauty and grace captured many hearts.

Her last employment before marriage was with McDonnell Aircraft in St. Louis where she was the editor-in-chief for a small group of aeronautical engineers whose professional letters and manuscripts had to pass muster with Kay's keen editorial ability.

Although she had a BA Degree in history from Sacramento State University, she was trained as a coloratura soprano who sang semi-professionally in New England during the 1950s, and after her marriage, she sang with the West Bay Opera in Palo Alto, CA.

A semi-professional genealogist, Kay was well known throughout America for her tenacity and generosity in helping countless people trace their ancestry. Her book, Kinships, A genealogical chart, published in 1986, was declared by her publisher to be the most innovative genealogical book of its kind, remarkable for charting 15,000 names.

Throughout her life, Kay enjoyed studying many forms of dancing and the histories behind them. From teaching ballroom dancing professionally, tap dancing, to her studies of the intricate dances of American Indians and Arabic belly dancing, she both taught and shared her love of the performing arts.

In character, Kay was a gentle soul, one who instinctively put others before herself. The expression, "To know her was to love her" truly applied to Kay.

Kay “Mom,” you left an indelible impression on everybody’s hearts you touched. You will be missed more than you know. I know you are in the arms of your dad singing, “Little Pal,” again. May your beautiful voice forever resonate the love this world needs.

“Until we meet again, Little Pal.”

Care by Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory.

Memories and condolences for the family of Mary Kay Roemer Baganoff may be left at www.glenncares.com