Mary (Keyser) Kittredge

Mary Keyser Kittredge, was born September 10, 1923, in Columbus, Ohio, the daughter of Hulda (Kleiss) and Dorner Luthardt Keyser and died February 4, 2023.  Mary attended schools in Springfield, Ohio, attended Wittenburg University and graduated from Purdue University.  She was in the personnel office of the Rike-Kumler Company in Dayton, Ohio, when she met and later married John B. Kittredge of Dayton on October 22, 1955 in Springfield.  Together they had three children, John L. Kittredge (Robert Winks) of South Bend, IN, Jeannette K. Amrine (Bruce) of Missoula, MT, and David K. Kittredge (Pearlanne Zelarney) of Littleton, CO.  David is the father of her only granddaughter, Jenele K. Kittredge of Littleton, CO, all of whom survive, along with many nieces and nephews.  Mary was predeceased by her husband John, her father, mother and sister, Jean K. (Jack) Armstrong of Palos Heights and Montgomery, IL.

From Ohio, Mary and her family moved to St. Paul and then White Bear Lake, MN for 10 years before settling in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1970.

After a professional career in human resources at Rike-Kumler, Mary took to parenting and later to volunteer work. Active in the First Presbyterian Church as a Deacon and as an Elder, in women’s groups and other roles, she was also very involved with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra League, a president of the Kalamazoo Art League, The Kalamazoo Community Foundation reading scholarship applications, and the Kalamazoo College women’s group for many years.  Playing bridge and MMM investment group meetings with her friends were special treats. Inspired by Julia Child, Mary loved to cook and entertained many friends and family. Throughout her life, Mary had a deep and abiding love of all things chocolate, particularly chocolate chip cookies.

Mary loved the outdoors and spent summer days at Gull Lake sailing and sunning at the beach where she had many friends.

Mary loved to travel, getting that bug from her parents at an early age.  Through countless hours of research, she arranged itineraries for her trips with John and sometimes with their children.  They traveled extensively through North America, Europe, Russia, China, and Japan. She said that she visited every place on her bucket list.

In 2008, Mary and John moved into a Garden Home at Friendship Village in Kalamazoo. She later moved to Woodside and finally to the Health Center, where she met and loved many of the special care-givers who treated her like family.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 3:00 pm, in the Kiva Room at Friendship Village in Kalamazoo, 1400 N Drake Road. Friends may meet family after the service. Memorials may be directed to Centrica Care Navigators Hospice or to Friendship Village Kalamazoo Employee Appreciation Fund. Please visit Mary’s personalized web page for directions, online guestbook, or to leave a condolence. www.langelands.com

Chocolate doesn’t ask silly questions, Chocolate understands - Anonymous