Kendall Kay Hunter

Kendall Kay Hunter, 26, of Clermont, Florida, passed away at sea aboard the Disney Wish, with her mother by her side, on August 20, 2026. She passed away peacefully after a long and courageous battle with renal disease and its many complications.

Born on December 20, 1999, in Fernandina Beach, Florida, Kendall Kay spent her childhood and young adulthood on the beautiful island she always called home. As a young child, she played basketball and soccer, with her father often coaching her teams. She was an avid reader and won many awards for reading the most words. She had an extensive book collection and enjoyed meeting and getting autographs of authors when she met them.

She graduated with honors from Fernandina Beach High School in 2018. She was a high school cheerleader, a member of FBLA, and the founder of a club for animal lovers. She volunteered more than 1,000 hours at the Humane Society, fostering kittens. She was voted "Most Clumsy" by her classmates and was featured in her yearbook as an outstanding student, highlighting her extensive travels to more than 30 countries.

Kendall Kay's travels often involved working with animals around the world. One of her favorite adventures took her to China, where she had the opportunity to work with giant pandas. She also explored Europe as a People to People Student Ambassador. For Kendall, travel was never simply about seeing a new place; it was about discovering what made that place unique and immersing herself in its culture and environment.

At home, Kendall Kay brought that same energy and enthusiasm into everyday life. She enjoyed acting and singing at Amelia Community Theatre. She was a member in Little Women, was named First Runner-Up in the 2017 Miss Shrimp Festival Pageant, and received the Miss Congeniality award in American Junior Miss.

After graduating from high school, Kendall Kay attended the University of California, Davis, where she pursued a degree in Animal Biology. She joined Chi Omega Sorority and the UC Davis Concert Choir. She fostered kittens through the Orphan Kitten Project, volunteered at the local children's hospital while dressed as Disney characters, and served as President of the Japanese Tea Club.

Kendall Kay was selected by Disney to participate in its College Intern Scholarship Program, where she pursued her dream of one day working permanently as a veterinarian for exotic animals.

Her lifelong love of travel continued as she spent three months living in Japan. There, she found what she considered her favorite place in the world, often saying she had never been happier or felt healthier.

The last months of her life were spent working for Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, as a concierge at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. It was a place where ordinary life was allowed to feel a little less ordinary. She received frequent compliments from guests, was highly respected by her colleagues, and was deeply valued by her coworkers.

Kendall Kay was baptized at Memorial United Methodist Church and later confirmed there as a youth. She was a member of the Children's Choir and the Youth Program, where she grew spiritually and was supported by her parents and church family.

Kendall Kay never conformed to a world of boredom or settled for what was considered usual, normal, traditional, or expected. She lived every day as though it were her last. Her struggles and her life were far from easy; however, she was determined to live life to the fullest. Her infectious enthusiasm for life was contagious, and her loving spirit brightened the lives of all who knew her.

Her short life was filled with experiences, adventures, stories, collections, animals, laughter, and the people she loved. It was a life extraordinarily full and unmistakably her own.

As much as her passing causes deep mourning, there is comfort in knowing that Kendall Kay is with our Lord and Savior. There is peace found in the fact that she now lives free of pain and suffering.

Kendall Kay is survived by her loving parents, Kenneth C. Hunter, Jr. and Teresa Louise (Quick) Hunter; her brother, Kevin Lee Loper; her sister, Brittany Todd, and brother-in-law, Ryan Todd; and her adored nephews, William and Theodore Todd. She also leaves behind her cherished grandfather, Kenneth C. Hunter, Sr., lovingly known as "Pop," as well as her beloved service dog and faithful companion, Oliver.

Kendall Kay was preceded in death by her grandmothers, Dorothy (Killingsworth) Quick and Thelma Kay Hunter.

A memorial service celebrating the life of Kendall Kay Hunter will be held at Memorial United Methodist Church in Fernandina Beach, Florida, on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. For those unable to attend in person, the service will be livestreamed at www.mumconline.com/livestream. There will be a reception immediately following the service in Maxwell Hall at Memorial United Methodist Church.

To send flowers to the family in memory of Kendall Kay Hunter, please contact Kim DePratter with June's Blooms at 904-468-5820.

Consider a donation, to Kendall Kay Hunter's Memorial Bench or to Nassau Humane Society in her honor.