Kay White

Kay Simpson White was born June 19, 1941, in Rosiclare, Illinois and passed away on November 14, 2023, in Tucson, Arizona. Kay was a remarkable woman in many regards: a proud and courageous role model to her two daughters Karen and Julia, a wonderful wife and pioneering founder and Executive Director of the non-profit Administration of Resources and Choices (ARC) focused on the needs of the elderly in both Phoenix and Tucson. She was also very active politically and was a strong advocate for the rights of women and animals.

Kay loved school as a child. She was the state spelling bee champion, played the piano and oboe. Kay’s family left Illinois when she was 14, due to issues with her health, and moved to Tucson where she attended Amphi High-School. Prior to earning her diploma, she married Jere White in December of 1957. She returned to school and earned her GED, a Bachelor of Science in Sociology in 1972 from Arizona State University, and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice in 1985, also from ASU.

Kay began her first job in public service in 1974 as a corrections officer in Maricopa County. In 1988 she established ARC which became an umbrella organization for an array of services focused on protecting the rights of our elderly citizens. ARC was a Certified HUD Housing Counseling Agency, and in 2010, ARC added satellite offices in the Phoenix area. Kay received acknowledgements for her service from Tucson Women’s Commission, Pima Council on Aging, AARP, The National Domestic Violence Hotline, and many other organizations for her tireless work creating and running her non-profit, which included the Elder Shelter Project which she began as a way to help the elderly in her community facing financial, physical, mental and other social challenges. Kay was also recognized for her efforts in restoring the 1880s Royal Johnson House to serve as the home of the Pima County Women’s Commission.

In 2000 the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development selected ARC as a HUD Local Best Practice Award winner. Kay received letters of recognition from Governor Terry Goddard, U.S. Congressman Jim Kolbe and Tucson Mayor, George Miller, who wrote that, Kay’s “Elder Shelter Project" addresses the escalating need for a community agency which will provide safe, short-term housing… elderly citizens now have a resource that can be utilized as they face a housing need, domestic violence, and/or physical crisis.”

Kay worked with and mentored many wonderful people who often went on to continue working in the public sector. Kay White made a significant impact to the lives of many people and will be missed.

Kay wished to be cremated, and her ashes will be honored privately by her family. After she retired, Kay and her daughter Julia volunteered at the United Nations Store of Southern Arizona at 6242 E. Speedway. The store is a nonprofit retail outlet, carrying international goods and fair-trade items. If you would like to consider making a donation in Kay’s honor, please visit unasatucson.org then choose fundraising/donate, or drop by the store personally where they have a donation box.