* Kristin A. Kay; Recent Sixth-Grade Graduate, 12, Dies of Rare Bone Cancer

Kristin Ann Kay, who recently graduated from the sixth grade at Isbell Middle School in Santa Paula, died Saturday at home after a two-year battle with a rare form of bone cancer. She was 12.

Kristin was born March 24, 1981, in Chula Vista. She and her family moved to Santa Paula eight years ago, said her father, Steven Kay.

Since her illness was diagnosed as osteogenic sarcoma in May, 1991, Kristin had undergone months of chemotherapy and five surgeries, including two operations that replaced portions of the bones in her upper arms with metal prostheses.

“She taught us all how to live and fight,” Kay said. “She was so brave. Cancer takes a lot from a little girl’s life.”

Kristin is survived by her father and mother, Deborah Kay of Santa Paula; one sister, Brittany Kay of Santa Paula; grandparents William and Virginia Kay of Chula Vista and Walter and Joan Loftis of Reedley, along with numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Santa Paula Church of Christ, 276 W. Santa Paula St. Burial will follow at the Santa Paula Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Tri-Counties Make-A-Wish Foundation, P.O. Box 3000-523, Camarillo, Calif. 93011 or the Santa Paula Memorial Hospital.