She worked at the company from its establishment alongside her husband Bill and his business partner Stan Baker in 1977. The company was initially named Kaymar after Kay Street and Baker’s wife Marie, but was renamed as it clashed with a company of the same name.
A life-long supporter of Stoke City FC, she worked as company secretary from Crewe-based Jaymar’s inception and developed a specialism in human resources.
She passed away last Thursday (15 February) following a difficult illness “she battled with strength and dignity”.
“Kay was very fair and understanding, which is why she took the lead on HR,” said commercial manager Eileen Mason, who has worked at the company for almost 31 years.
“Her door was always open if you needed to talk and she had a very natural way with people, but she could still be firm and make the tough decisions when needed.
“She was very generous with her time and often gave it over to fundraising for charities, as well as spending time with her kids and grandkids who she adored.”
Kay Street joined her husband Bill at the newly founded firm when her sons David and Craig were in primary school. Craig Street now works at Jaymar as one of the directors. Through her sons, she has four grandchildren.
Kay and Bill Street were the last-remaining founder members of Jaymar, as Stan Baker retired in 1999 following the death of his wife. The Streets entered semi-retirement in 2015.
Jaymar employs 34 staff and more than half of its team has worked with the firm for more than 20 years.
“We have staff who joined up aged 16 who are still with us at 50,” said Mason. “This is a family company that feels like a family for all who work here, it inspires longevity. They look after us here and everybody helps each other out.”
A funeral service for Kay Street will be held at St Mary’s Church, Nantwich, at 1.30pm on Friday 2 March. The company will be closed for business on that day. In lieu of flowers, Jaymar asked that donations be made to Cancer Research and Macmillan Cancer Support, who numbered among the charities Kay Street supported in her lifetime.
