Obituary
CANNON Kay Denise, 60 years old, was born in Fairfield, CA to Dennis Porter Cannon and Katherine Berkley Cannon on September 16th, 1958 at Travis Air Force Base. Kay died, at home, October 29th, 2018 after a 7 month battle with a terminal Glioblastoma brain tumor. She grew up on the family ranch in Dripping Springs, Texas and graduated from Jack C. Hayes High School in Kyle, Texas in 1976. She was Valedictorian and Drum Major for the Rebels Marching Band. Kay then attended A&M University in College Station, Texas, Class of 1980. She then transferred her senior year to the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas and graduated with a B.S. in Physical Therapy in 1980. She worked as Physical Therapist for 25 years and then moved into Health Care Management and served as the Vice President of Payer Operations for Theraphysics, Inc. for five years. Kay also moved to Lexington, Kentucky to work as a Physical Therapist at Good Samaritan Hospital and also was certified in Neuro and Cardiac PT and did home health as well. Kay was motivated to complete her M.B.A. from the University of Kentucky with a specialty in Healthcare in 1993. She was a Singletary Scholar. Kay then was introduced to Professional Executive Coaching in 1997 and after completing her training she opened her own business, in 1998, as one of the most highly certified Executive Coaches in the world, becoming a Master Certified Coach. Kay soared to the height of the Professional Coaching world and with her extensive Business, Healthcare and Leadership skills was able to have a huge impact as a Professional Executive Coach and with the International Coach Federation the leading organization for Coaches globally. She was truly a Human and Organizational Transformation Specialist with clients across the globe. Her impact on the International Coach Federation, based in Lexington, Kentucky, will be one of her lasting legacies. She was pivotal in her work on the current rigorous Credentialing requirements which make the Master Certified Coaching credential one of the hardest and most necessary credentials any Professional Coach can receive. She was appointed and served the I.C.F. on the Board of Directors as a Vice President and then was elected to be the Global President in 2007. She was awarded the Thomas Leonard Visionary Leader award, in 2014, for her vast contributions to the Professional Executive Coaching Industry. She served as an I.C.F Board of Director’s member from 2006-2008. In 2002, Kay was recognized by the Lexington, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce as the LEX Independent Professional of the Year in recognition of Innovation, Growth, Staying Power, Response to Adversity and Community Involvement. Kay also became a University of Kentucky Master Certified Gardener. She served as a founding member of the Board of Directors of America in Bloom, Lexington, Kentucky chapter. She envisioned each America in Bloom chapter having a Legacy Garden to honor all those who volunteer to make our cities more beautiful and the Lexington America in Bloom Legacy Garden has been named on Kay’s behalf. The Kay Cannon Memorial Legacy Garden can be enjoyed at Griffin Gate Marriott. Art work will be provided in Kay’s honor by her wife, Lynn M. Griffis. Many dog-loving people will remember Kay as an avid dog lover and trainer with Best Friends Obedience in Versailles, Kentucky for 5 years. She made sure many dogs and cats were rescued and had good homes throughout the years. Kay is survived by her wife, Lynn M. Griffis of Lexington, Kentucky and her sister Susan Houston and her husband, Chris of Dripping Springs, Texas. She is also survived by her nephew Cory Griffis, Oakdale, Louisiana; niece Kylee Griffis and fiance Burke Lienemann and Great Nephew Beau Lienemann; and nephew Cameron Griffis all of Kearney, Nebraska. She is also survived by Aunts and Uncles, cousins, many Colleagues and many dear friends. Kay’s family is deeply grateful for the loving care she received at Baptist Hospital, by Bluegrass Care Navigators Hospice Care and by the personal caregivers who were so dedicated to her care and comfort at home in Hospice throughout the last 7 months. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in Kay’s name to Kentucky S.A.V.E. Kentucky S.A.V.E. (Saving Animals, Volunteering, Educating) is a non- profit 501c3 certified, no kill, animal rescue which is dedicated to caring, helping, training, and placing homeless, abandoned, abused, injured, and ill domestic animals throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Please donate at kentuckysave.org or by mail to: Kentucky Save, P.O. Box 517, Lexington, KY 40588.
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