Naples, Florida
Mary Kay Folsom
1924 — 2024
Mary Kay Folsom, founder of Kays On The Beach, passed away on October 10, 2024, just one month after her 100th birthday. Born in Owen, Wisconsin, Kay married her childhood sweetheart, Bill Hilt, after he served as a pilot during World War II. She studied music and education at the University of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Together they built a successful optometric private practice and raised two daughters. During the polio epidemic, Kay initiated Wisconsin's first homebound program for children confined to iron lungs. Seeking a warmer climate, the couple discovered Naples, where they founded Kays On The Beach and Marco Island, building a historic landmark that remains today. Following Bill's...