Jun 03, 2021

Grandmother’s fudge recipe engraved on headstone: “Wherever she goes, there’s laughter”

Tombstone Kay's fudge recipe
Image: Twitter

Katherine, ‘Kay’, and Wayne, ‘Wade’, Andrews met at a church function in New York, where Kay had moved from Utah to study fashion and design.

“She was crazy about him from the beginning,” explained daughter, Janice Johnson, on Fox13

Before he flew out, Wade’s crew painted a naked lady – ‘Salt Lake Katie’ – onto the side of his plane. When Wade objected, his team painted a swimsuit onto the figure.

While Wade was at war, the couple exchanged hundreds of letters, and as soon as he returned, the couple were engaged. The lovebirds had never seen each other in daylight before that point. They married in 1944, 18 days after becoming engaged.

The couple had five children and lived all over the United States, finally settling in Utah.

Wade earned a PhD in sociology and eventually became a professor, while Kay was well-known for her deep religious beliefs and her dedication to helping those in need. She often wrote poems for people and gave them a plate of fudge to lift their spirits.

Both valued a sense of humour. Wade once told daughter Johnson a sense of humour was essential in choosing the person you will marry.

When Wade died in 2000, Kay selected images to go on his headstone that reflected his life and interests – a horse and rider, a plane and an academic mortarboard.

And so, when Kay died at the age of 97, the headstone was updated.

It attracted many visitors, but there was always one problem. The initial engraving contained a mistake: instead of one teaspoon of vanilla, the recipe called for a tablespoon, which made the fudge too runny.

Now the recipe has been amended, and the correct measurements are listed – and the news has gone viral. 

Will you make Kay’s famous fudge recipe?

KAY’S FUDGE

2 SQ. CHOCOLATE

2 TBS. BUTTER

MELT ON LOW HEAT

STIR IN 1 CUP MILK

BRING TO BOIL

3 CUPS SUGAR

1 TSP. VANILLA

PINCH OF SALT

COOK TO SOFTBALL STAGE

POUR ON MARBLE SLAB

COOL & BEAT & EAT

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  1. Hi Caroline
    My name is Claire and I am the CEO of a small, not-for-profit, charitable, residential aged care service in rural Camperdown, Victoria. Thank you for sharing the story of Kay’s fudge. We are including the article (author and publication cited) in our Newsletter, “SNIPPETS” and Prayer Group “Words of Wisdom.” Our residents will be making the fudge this afternoon during our leisure & lifestyle activity. It is wonderful to have such a lovely, uplifting story to share with residents, families and staff during these challenging times.
    Kind Regards Claire.

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