Saturday, November 14, 2026
Kay Folsom, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and accomplished businesswoman passed away peacefully at her grandson's home on October 10, 2024, surrounded by her family, just six weeks after celebrating her 100th birthday. She was the founder of Kay’s On The Beach boutiques.
Born Mary Kathleen Bornhofen in Menominee, Michigan, on September 1, 1924, Kay grew up in Owen, Wisconsin, where she met the love of her life, William P. Hilt (Bill). She attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, graduating in 1947 with degrees in music and education.
Kay married Bill, her childhood sweetheart, in June 1946, shortly after his return from service as a pilot in World War II. While Bill attended the Illinois School of Optometry, Kay taught special needs children who could not attend school due to serious illnesses or disabilities. She became the first "homebound teacher" in her school district.
After welcoming two daughters, Kay and Bill settled in Merrill, Wisconsin, where they began their life together with the support of her parents. Kay introduced the homebound program to the local superintendent, leading to its implementation as the first program of its kind in Wisconsin in 1950. Together, they built a successful optometric practice.
Kay's life was characterized by a deep devotion to family. She cared for her loved ones throughout their later years and worked tirelessly to maintain connections between family members scattered across the country. Kay cherished the beauty of the seasons in northern Wisconsin, enjoyed early adventures flying to Canada for muskie fishing, and had memorable experiences boating on Lake Tomahawk. She delighted in attending Green Bay Packer games in the cold and flying with Bill in his Cessna 180 to various destinations, including Florida.
One of the family’s cherished legends recounts a summer evening in the early 1960s when Bill surprised Kay by purchasing a 200-acre farm. Over time, he developed it into a recreational paradise, complete with a lake, stocked fish, hundreds of pine trees, and even five white-faced cows named after her best friends.
In their 50s, Kay and Bill sought a new chapter in their lives and discovered the natural beauty and sunny climate of Naples and Marco Island. With Kay’s success and enjoyment working at Zita's and Cricket in Naples, Bill encouraged her to start their own store. In 1976, they opened their first boutique. In a joint effort with builder Bill Slocum, they later constructed the iconic pink flagship building. Kay envisioned a charming boutique that would offer stylish clothing for modern women. She cultivated her business through personal customer attention, beautiful styles, gracious service, and popular fashion shows. The annual Valentine Fashion Shows have attracted loyal customers and friends for over 46 years. After Bill’s sudden passing, her daughter Jeane joined her in running the store. Together with Jeane’s husband, Bill Seiple, they expanded the business to five locations across Naples, and in recent years, Jeane’s son, Banks Seiple, joined the management team.
Despite her busy lifestyle, Kay remained deeply involved in community activities. A dynamic leader during her years in Merrill, she co-founded the Holy Cross Hospital Women’s Auxiliary, helped establish the community's first swimming pool, and was a charter member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. She also co-founded and actively participated in community theater. Upon relocating to Marco Island, she founded the Marco Players, supported the Marco Island Historical Society, and collaborated with Betsy Perdichizzi and many volunteers to start the Presidents’ Wives re-enactment series. Kay loved singing with the San Marco choir, supported the San Marco Church Women’s Auxiliary and helped establish the first Marco Trolley.
Kay had a lifelong passion for music, possessing a professionally trained soprano voice that she shared in church choirs and community theater in both Florida and Wisconsin. She was dedicated to promoting the Gulfshore Opera and supporting the introduction of young opera singers through fashion shows.
However, Kay’s legacy extends far beyond her accomplishments. Those who met her encountered a woman with a warm, inviting smile and an open-hearted personality. The losses and challenges she faced were met with deep faith in God, resilience, and empathy for those facing their own struggles. Kay embodied grace, determination, and an indomitable spirit, always ready to embrace new challenges with boundless energy and generosity.
Kay was preceded in death by her parents, John and Maybelle Bornhofen; her husband, William P. Hilt (Bill), who passed away unexpectedly in 1984; her second husband, Howard Folsom, who died in 1990; her son-in-law, William Seiple; and many dear friends from Florida and Wisconsin.
She is survived by her daughter Jeane Hilt and her grandson Banks Seiple, who continue the family legacy of Kay’s On The Beach. Her memory is also cherished by her daughter, Kathleen Ann Hilt Ponko; her son-in-law, William R. Ponko; her grandson, William B. Ponko; his wife,
Rachel Hill Ponko; great-grandchildren Rory and Reese Ponko; and her granddaughter, Sarah Elizabeth Ponko.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at 10:00 am at San Marco Catholic Church, 851 San Marco Rd, Marco Island, FL 34145.
October 24, 2024 Coastal Breeze News
