Kay Fye Bender Wilder

HAMMONDSPORT – Kay Wilder, age 88 died January 9, 2026

Kay was born on February 11, 1937, the daughter of Hubert and Alberta George Fye of Tioga, PA. At a young age, the family moved to Union Town, PA, where Mr. Fye was employed by the North Penn Gas Company. They later moved back to Tioga when they purchased a farm on the River Road in Tioga, where they grew cabbage and corn, and later added chickens and dairy cattle. Kay enjoyed living in the country while being able to spend time with her grandparents in town.

Kay graduated from Williamson High School in 1955 and was a member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Tioga. Kay was employed at Ingersoll Rand, Painted Post in 1955-56, Sylvania Electric in Muncy, PA, from 1957-60, and then began her career with Corning Incorporated in 1960 through her retirement in 1986.

Kay and Art Wilder were married in 1973. They were active skiers, ice boaters, and, as long-time members of Keuka Yacht Club, they enjoyed sailboat racing for many years. She and Art moved from Corning to Keuka Lake in 1986.

Kay worked as an agent in the Lucy Knapp Real Estate office in Hammondsport, NY, and she and Art spent winters in Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas, until 2015. They were hosts to many visitors and drew friends to the area as a retirement destination.

In 2021, Kay and Art moved to Penn Yan, and he predeceased her in February 2022. In 2024, Kay moved to Clark Meadows in Canandaigua, NY, and enjoyed the activities there.

She is survived by children Sheryl Campbell (Bill) of San Diego, Mary Corwin (Brett) of Ft. Myers, FL, and Steven Bender of Painted Post. She was predeceased by son, Robert Wilder in 2012 and granddaughter Ashley White in 2023. She is survived by 5 grandchildren: Andrew (Jacqueline) Campbell of San Diego, CA; Michael (Tom Freeman) Campbell of San Francisco, CA; Cameron (Victoria) Bender of Bloomfield, NY; Emily (Lyncoln) Barber of Cortland, NY; Cara (Carolyn Rozycki) Bender of Brooklyn, NY; and 8 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held at the Bishop & DeSanto (LaMarche) Funeral Home, 35 Main Street, Hammondsport, NY on Saturday, February 7th, from 1-3 pm, followed by a brief service at 3 pm, after which friends and family are invited to a reception at the Curtiss Museum, Hammondsport, NY. Burial will be at a later date at the Evergreen Cemetery in Tioga, PA.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Curtiss Museum, 8419 NY 54, Hammondsport, NY 14840, the Lake Keuka Sailing Foundation, PO Box 334, Bath, NY 14810, or St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 187 W Lake Road, Branchport, NY 14418.

Bishop & DeSanto Funeral Home, Hammondsport, is honored to assist Kay’s family with the arrangements.

Online condolences or remembrances of Kay are welcome below, or on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home.