Kay Elaine Saxton

Kay Elaine Saxton, 85, of Grawn, passed away on Sunday, January 17, 2021. She was born on April 5, 1935 in Traverse City to the late Ray and Caremen (Blacken) Strickland. On September 18, 1954 Kay married Marvin D. Saxton in Traverse City. It was here that they built their own home, built a Residential Construction Business, and raised three daughters. Kay’s life centered on family. She was an amazing homemaker and skilled seamstress who made clothes for her daughters. She loved music, singing in her church choir and dancing with her loving husband Marvin. She loved to read and have engaging “talks” with family and friends. She worked hard keeping her home organized and helped Marvin grow their construction business by keeping all the books through the years. Kay enjoyed cooking for many students at TCAPS; where she started at Traverse Heights and retired from Blair School. Kay leaves behind her loving and devoted husband of 66 years Marvin, who took such good care of her; daughters: Marcy (Michael) McCumby, Karry (Shawn) Kelly, Betsy (Dave Moore) Beaudoin, and adopted daughter Norma J. Bailey; grandchildren: Cameron (Jane Park) McCumby, Jessy (Bruce Allen) Zenner, Zachary (Jessica) Kelly, McKayla (Bill Rossbach) Kelly, Sawyer Beaudoin and Zoey Beaudoin; great grandchildren: Jayden, Peiton, Jordyn, Ryder, Karson, Maxton, Luxcin, Ryan, Noah, Bryce, and Anaya; brothers Max (Ronnie) Strickland, Brian (Jan Burda) Strickland, sister Brenda Bielski, sister-in-law Margie Strickland, brother-in-law Fred (Alice) Marsh Jr., and many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Jim Strickland, brother-in-law Jim Bielski, sister-in-law Phyllis Marsh, mother-in-law Elma Saxton Leggett Wheelock and father-in-law Delbert O. Saxton. A Celebration of Kay’s Life will be held at 11:00AM Saturday, July 10, 2021 at Grawn United Methodist Church. Friends may gather beginning at 10:00AM until the time of service. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Grawn. Memorial contributions may be made in Kay’s honor to either the Grawn United Methodist Church or the Alzheimer’s Association, Michigan Great Lakes Chapter, 564 S Main St., Suite 200, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Kay’s family would also like to express a heartfelt thank you to the Villa at Traverse Point for all of their care and guidance over the past year and also a thank you to Hospice of Michigan. Arrangements have been entrusted to Kalkaska Funeral Home and Cremation Services. The Service will be streamed live at the Grawn United Methodist YouTube page. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPF38xD8ApEahGwTPeKsarQ

Kay Elaine Saxton

April 5, 1935 - January 17, 2021