LEWISTON — Catherine “Kay” Willette passed peacefully on Sunday, April 10, surrounded by her entire family.

She was born Oct. 22, 1926, grew up on Pierce Street during Lewiston’s Golden Age. Even during the Depression Era, she shared a happy childhood in the downtown area. As children, she and her four siblings, Sonny, Bette, Michael and Mary played in the park in front of St. Patrick’s Church, slid down the hill in winter, played in the gazebo on warm summer evenings and enjoyed their family camp at Annabessacook Lake with parents, Katy and Alex Baumann.

Kay attended St. Patrick’s School and graduated from Lewiston High School. A talented artist, she packed her bags and decided to try her luck in the big city. Working three jobs, she successfully graduated from the Cooper Union Art School in New York City.

She returned to Lewiston and married George Willette. They had seven children, (Cathy, Annie, Nisi, John, twins, JoAnn and Jim and Greg), 16 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. While raising her children and running a busy home, she still found time to become one of Maine’s prominent award-winning artists, whose work was exhibited throughout New England.

Kay and her husband, George were married for 63 years.

In honor of her love of flowers, please feel free to bring as many as you like.

She will be greatly missed by her large and loving family and dear friends. How can we express the unselfish love and devotion that she had? Kay cherished her family.

Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.lynchbrothers.com.