Kay-Lynette (Starling) Roca

Kay-Lynette Roca, 65, passed suddenly on July 20, 2025, in Hiawassee, Georgia, where she lived for the past three years. Born on February 26, 1960, in Jacksonville, Florida, she grew up in Pahokee and Belle Glade—affectionately known as “Muck City”—in western Palm Beach County. She spent her childhood riding horses through the cane fields and along the dike surrounding Lake Okeechobee, embracing every adventure with a joyful spirit.

From the moment she took her first steps —at just eight months old—it was clear Kay-Lynette would be a force in this world. She was fearless. She was determined. She lived each day in the moment.

Kay-Lynette dedicated her life to rescuing animals. As a child, she brought home every creature she could, including a king snake named Slinky, a skunk named Blossom, and a ferret named Petey. She had a huge heart for critters of all shapes and sizes, and that passion led to a lifelong career dedicated to rescuing, saving, and giving voice to thousands of homeless and unwanted pets. After graduating from Florida State University with a degree in public relations, Kay-Lynette founded Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary, a low-cost spay/neuter clinic and no-kill shelter in Jupiter, Florida. Her annual Celebrity Dog Wash fundraiser at Carlin Park in Jupiter quickly became a beloved community event,

Even in retirement, Kay-Lynette never stopped rescuing strays. She also discovered a new passion for art, creating beautiful acrylic paintings and using fractal burning to craft stunning wood pieces.  Many of her works now grace an art gallery in Young Harris, Georgia, a testament to her creativity.

Kay-Lynette’s love for animals ran deep, but nothing meant more to her than her three beautiful children: Taylor (37), Jordyn (34), and Austin (28) Roca of northern Palm Beach County. She is also survived by her mother, Mary-Arthur Starling of Hiawassee, Georgia; stepmother Nancy Starling of Jacksonville, Florida; sisters Kelly Starling (Dave Fahey) of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and Stacy McKinney (Matt) and Kim Fields (John) of Jacksonville, Florida; brothers Sean Starling (Jodi) and Scott Starling of Jacksonville, Florida, and Chad Starling (Sarah) of San Diego, California; and many nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, cousins, and wonderful friends.

Kay-Lynette filled every room with warmth, laughter, and love. She leaves behind a world made better by her kindness, her courage, and her unwavering devotion to both people and animals. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

We’d like to share this poem by an unknown author that sums up Kay-Lynette perfectly:

“To love a rescuer you must love all of her. You must love the scars covering her body from panicked and hurt animals she was trying to help. You must love her fractured heart, that has been broken so many times she no longer even takes the time to mend the pieces.

 

To love a rescuer, you must embrace her grit and determination and know that although she fights a war she can never win, she can and does win a few battles. You must love the tears she will shed over those she lost. You must give her comfort that she refuses to accept, as she blames herself for things she could have never foreseen.

 

To love a rescuer, you must acknowledge the rage she feels towards the world at times and know that anger is driven by a love of life too few have. You must give her space and room to cry and mourn for the losses that others have caused out of carelessness or cruelty.

 

To love a rescuer, you must understand her passion to heal and save is a calling, not a choice. You must accept that to save animals is part of her soul and without that she could never be happy.

 

To love a rescuer, you must be patient. You must accept her work comes first. She will forgo sleep, forgo food, forgo her life for animals in need. She will work tirelessly until her body and mind fail her completely and she cannot go on.

 

To love a rescuer, you must be strong. You must not be threatened by her focus and love of animals. You must accept that the things you love about her, the strength and convictions and loyalty are also what drives her sense of duty to animals in need; you cannot have one without the other.

 

To love a rescuer, you must never ask her to choose, because she will, and it will not be you. “

Details about a celebration of Kay-Lynette’s life will be shared on Facebook in the coming weeks.

In her memory, we hope you’ll consider donating to your local not-for-profit animal shelter or rescue an unwanted animal.

Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com

Arrangements are in the care of Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Georgia 30501.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kay-Lynette (Starling) Roca, please visit our floral store.