Leigh Kitson

Leigh Kitson, 70, of Portage, passed away at University of Michigan Hospital on May 6, 2025, after a lifelong battle with kidney disease. She was born to the late Donald and Jane Allen in Detroit, Michigan, in 1954.

Leigh graduated from Grosse Pointe South High School in 1972 and later graduated from Western Michigan University with a bachelor's degree. She married her husband, Jay Kitson, on May 14, 1977, in Detroit, before moving to Flint, Jay's hometown, to raise their family. She worked various jobs throughout her adult life in addition to her role as a mother and homemaker. She was an assistant at the Flint Fire Department before and later took a job at Flint Youth Theatre.

Leigh had an undeniable passion for people. She took on the role of caretaker many times throughout her life, providing years of care for her mother and husband as their health declined. Through it all, she was intensely loyal. Her experiences in hospital settings left her with a tremendous sense of gratitude and admiration for the medical professionals she met. Her family shares in her gratitude for their heroic work.

Leigh's love of art was core to who she was. She loved seeing her children perform in concerts and plays, and created art of her own. She maintained a blog for several years that gained an international following. The content featured her original watercolor paintings and stories from her life. As a self-described watercolorist, she often painted happy moments from childhood or scenes of strength in the face of adversity.

The greatest joy in Leigh's life was her family. Leigh and Jay were faithfully married for 43 years before Jay's passing. Leigh adored her children who survive her: Jeffrey, Timothy (Kate), and Holly (Chris), and her grandchildren, Beckham, Delaney, Jameson, Oliver and Chelsea. Leigh loved her surviving sister, Lisa Merrit.

Leigh's family will forever miss her generous laugh and her ability to tell stories, along with her strong will and sense of self. In conversations with Leigh before her passing, Leigh said she wanted everyone to know she did the best she could.

A memorial service for Leigh is scheduled for July 19, 2025 and Langeland Family Funeral Homes, 3926 S 9th St, Kalamazoo, MI 49009 at 11:00 a.m.. Lunch and refreshments will be provided following the service.

Please visit Leigh's memorial webpage to share condolences and memories with her family at https://www.Langelands.com