Obituary for Kaisha A. Lopez-Jones, Ph.D.
Kaisha A. Lopez-Jones, Ph.D.
April 17, 1981 – July 10, 2023
From the moment she was born in Union Hospital, Bronx, New York, and named Kaisha Antoinette Lopez, Kay became her mother’s angel. For those early childhood years, Mrs. Lopez had Kay all to herself during the day. However, when Kay was old enough to know 4pm was approaching, she would eagerly await Mr. Lopez. As soon as he walked through the door, she became Daddy’s princess consistently at his side. At age three, Kay became a big sister when Rudy Lopez joined the family as her younger brother.
In pre-school, Kay met her best friend, Amy Rosario. Together they made life-long memories at PS 182, MS 174, Preston High School for Girls. Despite being apart for college and the challenging high and lows of adulthood, they managed to stay connected.
Kay’s parents, Rudy, and Amy got to share in Kay’s favorite TV shows as she grew up: Sesame Street, Prince of Bell Aire, Saved by the Bell, and her deep devotion to Gray’s Anatomy. They witnessed Kay develop a love of dance enhanced by her entry level classes at the Girls and Boys Club. They had a front row seat to Kay’s critical learning years.
Children quickly become young teens and adults broadening their professional and personal horizons. Those who want the best for them understand that they must let go and share them with the rest of the world. Kay’s loved ones beamed with pride as she paved her own way. They supported her through significant milestones, especially her educational pursuits such as her Bachelor of Business Administration at Berkeley College, Master of Arts in Organizational Management, and Doctorate of Philosophy in Organizational Development and Leadership through Arizona State University.
They admired her 20-year career as a financial aid advisor, counselor, and assistant director providing aspiring students access to higher education and training co-workers to expand critically needed financial aid assistance. Higher education had served Kay well and she was determined to both literally and figuratively share the wealth. Kay intently spent 18 of the last 20 purposeful years at Bank Street College earning the title of Assistant Director of Financial Aid and serving in this capacity from 2015 until well into the COVID-19 pandemic. A colleague recently wrote to Kay’s mother saying:
"...I have been fortunate to work with Kay at Bank Street. I wanted to thank Kay for all of her support, guidance, and kindness that she exhibited while we worked together. No matter what got thrown at Kay, she rose to the challenge and met it with a smile and can-do attitude. She demonstrated for me how to respond to less than favorable circumstances while always maintaining ... professionalism. Further, she always interacted with others in a way that communicated respect and care. She is an incredible colleague, person, mother, daughter, and I am a better human being as a result of my interactions with Kay."
While Kay made student dreams come true, her desire to be mother and wife became a reality when she met Curtis Jones and became Kaisha Lopez-Jones. Together, they welcomed Jayden Jones in 2007 and hosted one brilliantly-stylish-super-fine and joyous wedding in 2017. Jayden immediately became the center of Kay’s life. Any observer could confidently say that she was fully enjoying being Jayden’s mom. In true Kay fashion, she modeled for all of us how to be a child’s chief advocate and cheerleader, while still being a strong coach. Another colleague recently shared with Mrs. Lopez that Kay provided such loving guidance and taught her how to be a better mom.
Kay’s direct impact on numerous individuals is a positive enduring legacy. She is survived by her husband, son, maternal grandmother, mother, brother, nephews, niece, many extended family and in-laws, attentive friends, and thoughtful colleagues. Her reach spans the many students who were able to achieve their goals in higher education and the countless momentary acquaintances who learned from the time they spent with or around Kay. She will be laid to rest in Puerto Rico next to Mr. Lopez so she can resume being at her precious father’s side into eternity and continuing being Mrs. Lopez’s angel until they are reunited once more.
May we each keep Kay’s spirit, generosity, strength, advocacy, and boldness alive within us, an honor she completely earned within her well spent 42 years of life.
April 17, 1981 – July 10, 2023
From the moment she was born in Union Hospital, Bronx, New York, and named Kaisha Antoinette Lopez, Kay became her mother’s angel. For those early childhood years, Mrs. Lopez had Kay all to herself during the day. However, when Kay was old enough to know 4pm was approaching, she would eagerly await Mr. Lopez. As soon as he walked through the door, she became Daddy’s princess consistently at his side. At age three, Kay became a big sister when Rudy Lopez joined the family as her younger brother.
In pre-school, Kay met her best friend, Amy Rosario. Together they made life-long memories at PS 182, MS 174, Preston High School for Girls. Despite being apart for college and the challenging high and lows of adulthood, they managed to stay connected.
Kay’s parents, Rudy, and Amy got to share in Kay’s favorite TV shows as she grew up: Sesame Street, Prince of Bell Aire, Saved by the Bell, and her deep devotion to Gray’s Anatomy. They witnessed Kay develop a love of dance enhanced by her entry level classes at the Girls and Boys Club. They had a front row seat to Kay’s critical learning years.
Children quickly become young teens and adults broadening their professional and personal horizons. Those who want the best for them understand that they must let go and share them with the rest of the world. Kay’s loved ones beamed with pride as she paved her own way. They supported her through significant milestones, especially her educational pursuits such as her Bachelor of Business Administration at Berkeley College, Master of Arts in Organizational Management, and Doctorate of Philosophy in Organizational Development and Leadership through Arizona State University.
They admired her 20-year career as a financial aid advisor, counselor, and assistant director providing aspiring students access to higher education and training co-workers to expand critically needed financial aid assistance. Higher education had served Kay well and she was determined to both literally and figuratively share the wealth. Kay intently spent 18 of the last 20 purposeful years at Bank Street College earning the title of Assistant Director of Financial Aid and serving in this capacity from 2015 until well into the COVID-19 pandemic. A colleague recently wrote to Kay’s mother saying:
"...I have been fortunate to work with Kay at Bank Street. I wanted to thank Kay for all of her support, guidance, and kindness that she exhibited while we worked together. No matter what got thrown at Kay, she rose to the challenge and met it with a smile and can-do attitude. She demonstrated for me how to respond to less than favorable circumstances while always maintaining ... professionalism. Further, she always interacted with others in a way that communicated respect and care. She is an incredible colleague, person, mother, daughter, and I am a better human being as a result of my interactions with Kay."
While Kay made student dreams come true, her desire to be mother and wife became a reality when she met Curtis Jones and became Kaisha Lopez-Jones. Together, they welcomed Jayden Jones in 2007 and hosted one brilliantly-stylish-super-fine and joyous wedding in 2017. Jayden immediately became the center of Kay’s life. Any observer could confidently say that she was fully enjoying being Jayden’s mom. In true Kay fashion, she modeled for all of us how to be a child’s chief advocate and cheerleader, while still being a strong coach. Another colleague recently shared with Mrs. Lopez that Kay provided such loving guidance and taught her how to be a better mom.
Kay’s direct impact on numerous individuals is a positive enduring legacy. She is survived by her husband, son, maternal grandmother, mother, brother, nephews, niece, many extended family and in-laws, attentive friends, and thoughtful colleagues. Her reach spans the many students who were able to achieve their goals in higher education and the countless momentary acquaintances who learned from the time they spent with or around Kay. She will be laid to rest in Puerto Rico next to Mr. Lopez so she can resume being at her precious father’s side into eternity and continuing being Mrs. Lopez’s angel until they are reunited once more.
May we each keep Kay’s spirit, generosity, strength, advocacy, and boldness alive within us, an honor she completely earned within her well spent 42 years of life.