Valta Kay Curtis

Valta Kay Curtis (nee Cowser), 86, of Trumbull, CT, passed away peacefully on August 21, 2025 at Nantucket Cottage Hospital on Nantucket Island, MA, her home away from home and happy place.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 47 years, Edward M. Curtis; parents Valton “Sonny” and Katie Mae Cowser, and brother Dale Cowser; parents in law Ed “Curt“ Curtis and Barbara Curtis; brother in law Bill Grellier, sister in law and her husband Betsy and Doug Winquist; sister in law Nelma Cowser.

She is survived by her children:  Dawn (Ben) Bates of Cumming, GA; David Curtis (Hilary Mayo) of Trumbull, CT; Diane (Bill) Kovalik of Monroe, CT; Grandsons:  Michael and Zachary Tracy of CT, Bennie and Bryce Bates of GA.  She is also survived by brother Don Cowser, sister in law Nancy Grellier, numerous nieces and nephews, and many dear friends.

Kay was a vibrant personality who loved to have fun, always the life of the party.  She was born and raised in Corpus Christi, TX.  As a young girl, she looked up to her big brothers and enjoyed spending summers on the farm in Greenville, TX with her grandparents and many aunts and uncles.  As a teen and early twenties she taught ballet, tap, and hula dancing.  Later she led exercise classes with Kay’s Body Shop.  The ladies who participated at Kay’s Body Shop also enjoyed bus trips Kay planned into NYC for broadway shows.

She lived at and was a member of the Pinewood Lake Association since 1965.  She served as a PLA women’s club president, organized many events, such as fashion shows, rummage sales, and dances, as well as kids events, including choreographing and directing talent shows.

Kay traveled the world with her husband, family, and friends to many destinations (some of her favorites being Alaska and Hawaii in the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, and Africa internationally).  She had hoped to visit more before being called home.  Kay loved spending time at her townhouses in Nantucket, MA and Amelia Island, FL, always drawn to the ocean.

Besides traveling, Kay enjoyed: playing cards, reading, concerts of all musical genres, fine arts, Tanglewood, Broadway shows, going to movies, watching Jeopardy! most nights (often with a grandson or two), parties with friends, antiquing (her extensive doorstop collection), and being a night owl.  She will be remembered fondly by her family for her delicious cooking and baking, family game nights, picnics, and breaking out in song and dance on a whim.  Kay made friends wherever she went, was funny, generous and kind to a fault, a caregiver and confidante to many.  She was one of a kind!

Friends and family may pay their respects on Thursday, Aug 28 from 4-7 p.m. at the Cyril F. Mullins Funeral Home, 399 White Plains Rd., Trumbull, CT.  All are invited to attend her funeral services on Friday, Aug 29 at 10:00 a.m.at Nichols United Methodist Church, 35 Shelton Rd. Trumbull, CT. Burial to follow in Nichols Village Cemetery.

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