Kay D. Rowe

Rowe, Kay D. December 24, 2023 age 78 of Canton. Beloved wife of Richard “Rich” Rowe. Loving mother of Laura (Gabriel) Soto, Alicia (Yong Heo) Rowe, and David Rowe. Dear sister of Susan Gardner, and the late: Lewis Berryman and George Berryman. Kay was born on March 3rd, 1945 in Flint, Michigan to Wilbur and Norine (McCourt) Berryman. Kay graduated from Northville High School in 1962 and began attending the University of Michigan as a freshman in the fall of that year. She met her husband, Richard Rowe at U of M. They were married on July 18, 1964 and moved to Shelby, OH where both Kay and Rich obtained their first jobs as public school music teachers. Some years later, they returned to Michigan, where Kay resumed her studies at U of M and completed her Bachelor’s Degree in the field of music. After graduation, Kay and Rich began raising a family. At the same time, she auditioned with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra and was awarded the position of principal clarinetist, which she held for 29 years. Kay taught private clarinet lessons, and later served as president of the Livonia Youth Symphony, where her daughters Laura and Alicia played violin and cello, respectively. After their son David was born in 1979, Kay pursued her studies at U of M and earned a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Development. She became director of the preschool program and also taught Sunday School at Calvary Baptist Church in Canton with her sister Susan for many years. In addition to her love for music, Kay enjoyed painting and teaching watercolors. Nature was a favorite theme in her paintings as well as everyday pursuits. As her interest in watercolors grew, she took workshops and classes, and traveled with other artists to paint on location in Mexico, Belize, Portugal, Italy, and Taos NM. In 1995, she founded The Village Artists Studio in Old Village Plymouth where she taught classes and workshops for 28 years. In addition, she hosted Spring and Fall artist retreats for 20 years at Crystal Mountain in northern Michigan, where artists were encouraged to paint on site. Other interests include teaching art and music for Braille Beats at the Lions Bear Lake Camp in Lapeer MI, performing as a member of the Silver Strings Dulcimer Society, volunteering at Angela Hospice as a certified music therapist, teaching classes at the annual Original Dulcimer Players Club in Evart MI, and serving as an Auxiliary member of the Plymouth Camp of Gideons International. Kay and her husband Rich have been active members of Faith Baptist Church, Canton MI, using their talents on saxophone and trumpet to provide music for weekly services. Kay’s faith and dependence on the Lord was a hallmark of her life. She had a very consistent walk with the Lord and being Christ-like and serving Him had always been her highest priority. She was energized by people and one of her greatest joys was serving others. Visitation Thursday December 28th 4-8 PM at Vermeulen-Sajewski Funeral Home, 46401 Ann Arbor Road West (Between Sheldon and Beck), Plymouth. In state Friday December 29th 10 AM until the 11 AM Funeral Service at Faith Baptist Church, 47500 Warren Road (At Beck and Warren), Canton. Interment Rural Hill Cemetery in Northville. Memorial contributions may be made to Gideons International, The Gideons International Processing Center, P.O. Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251 or Faith Baptist Church, 47500 Warren Road, Canton, MI 48187.

Kay D. Rowe

March 3, 1945 - December 24, 2023