Katherine Irene Hewett

Katherine “Kate” Hewett died peacefully around 12:30 PM, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, at the age of 67, from complications of Front Temporal Degeneration (FTD). Her long-time friend, Diane Hall Grabemeyer, was at her side at Forest Glen Assisted Living in Dowagiac, Michigan. Kate was born October 12, 1950 in Royal Oak Michigan to Philip Stanley and Irene (Herkimer) Hewett. She graduated from Kimball High School, Royal Oak Michigan in 1968, and went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University. After college she moved to New York City where she was a self-employed freelance; administrative assistant, artist, and model. She also authored several plays and TV show episodes. From 1990 through 1992 Kate lived and worked in Los Angeles California. Kate returned to New York City where she continued to work as a mural painter and enjoy her black cats and an occasional stray stage actor. In January, 2007, Kate and her cats moved to Dowagiac, Michigan to be near her childhood friend, Diane Grabemeyer. She continued her artwork and enjoyed her new country life, gardening and maintaining the yard around her 100 year old two story farm house. She adopted Sammie, a shelter puppy, who quickly befriended the cats. Kate was active on the Etsey Artist Web site, with the Box Factory for the Arts, and the Krasl Art Center in St. Joseph Michigan. Kate was preceded in death by her Parents, Stan and Irene. She is survived by her brother Philip (Rita) Hewett of Florida, her nephew Christopher (Amy) Hewett of Virginia, and grand nephew Grant Hewett. Kate will be remembered for her tenacity, intelligence, humor and her love of theatre and the arts. Cremation has taken place, per Kate’s wishes. Memorial donations may be made, in her name, to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (theaftd.org)