Kathryn "Kay" DeLaMater passed away peacefully at Munson Hospice House on February 6, 2015 following a lengthy battle with cancer. She was 89. Born in Iron Mountain, MI on February 4, 1926 to George and Carrie (Trestrail) Vellenett, her family lost nearly all of their worldly possessions during the Great Depression, yet she enjoyed a close-knit extended family and many fond childhood memories.
Known to her family as "Peppy", Kay had one younger sister, Helen (aka "Peggy"). Kay loved to help her Aunt Laura make pasties on "wash day" and grew up sharing happy adventures with Peggy and their cousins Frances Trestrail and Samuel Sprague at her Uncle Nabs' dairy farm in Spread Eagle, WI.

Her family later moved to Gaylord, MI, where she met Glenn DeLaMater. They married on July 8, 1949 and Kay worked as an office clerk until 1966, when she became a full-time homemaker following the birth of their son, George. She was frugal, inventive and resourceful, and these qualities helped see her family through very difficult times.

Kay's life was epitomized by her loving, compassionate heart and selfless nature. She loved the simple things in life and always put the needs of her family and others before those of herself - her thoughtful gestures, kind words, genuine concern and helping hands touched the lives of all who knew her. She was modest, honest to a fault, and always dependable and true to her word. A devout Christian, she did her best to live her life accordingly. Common sense, traditional values, moderation, being responsible and accountable, always "doing what's right" - these were all tenets she espoused and lived by.

Kay reveled in nature's beauty and loved to pick morels and to walk in the woods and fields. A gifted artist, she delighted in working with driftwood, bits of moss, dried weeds and cast-off things found in nature. She created beautiful wall plaques, pine cone men, treasure chest clams and more, which she sold at the Northwestern Michigan Artists and Craftsmen gallery and various local craft shows until arthritis prevented her from continuing the creative hobby she so enjoyed.
She loved animals and frequently donated her time, talents and resources to the Humane Society and other animal rescue groups, helping in any way she could. A talented seamstress, Kay made stuffed toys, cat mats, Christmas ornaments and other items which she donated to help raise money. She was very passionate about preserving the environment, was a careful recycler, and was always saddened by any news of industrial spills, dumping, or when woodlands were razed for development.
Kay suffered with severe chronic pain for much of her life, yet she was thankful for every day she drew breath and was an inspiration to those who knew her. She is preceded in death by her sister Helen "Peggy" Moorhead and is survived by her loving son, George DeLaMater. Memorials may be sent to the Cherryland Humane Society, 1750 Ahlberg Rd., Traverse City MI 49686.