Kathryne Brand

Brand, Kathryne "Kay" Kalamazoo, Michigan Kathryne "Kay" Brand, age 84 of Kalamazoo, passed away surrounded by her loving family on December 30, 2021. She was born December 17, 1937, in Muskegon, Michigan, the daughter of Ben and Pauline (Petersen) Cihak. Kay was a 1956 graduate of Muskegon Catholic Central and enjoyed her class reunions, celebrating 65 years this last summer. She was also an alumnus of Michigan State University. Kay was a hard-working, dedicated single mother, who would later marry the love of her life, Jacque Brand on September 3, 1994. They would blend their families and enjoy 28 beautiful years together. Kay lived a life of service to others. Kay enjoyed serving family and friends as an interior decorator, and she was a proud board member of the Southwestern Michigan Home Builders Association and the Michigan Floor Covering Association. She would volunteer to teach children how to read in her retirement. Kay loved gardening, sewing, swimming, and being around water. Her family will fondly remember all the time spent together and the laughter they shared. They will forever cherish all the memories of family visits, bluegrass festivals, and the trips to Florida. Kay is survived by her husband Jacque Brand; her children: Annalisa (Ross) Welling, Monica Westfield, Kelly Westfield (Pat Steffey), and Markus Smits (Denise Beno); her stepchildren: Jeff (Rosemary) Brand, Jim (Pam) Brand, and Judi (Mitch) Walker; her 8 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren; her sisters: Sally (Art Balzer) Kidd and Benita Fyan; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Penny Hines. Friends may visit with her family on Saturday, January 22, 2022, from 10:00- 11:00 AM at St. Monica's Catholic Church, 4408 S. Westnedge Ave., Kalamazoo, MI, 49008, where her memorial mass will be held at 11:00 AM. After the memorial there will be a luncheon at the Traveler's Cafe & Pub located at 5225 Portage Rd., Portage, MI. Please join the family in celebrating Kay's life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kay's name to Centrica Care Navigators (formerly Hospice of SW Michigan). Please visit Kay's personalized online guestbook at https://www.langelands.com