Birth date: Jan 17, 1937 Death date: Mar 26, 2015
Kay Ruth (Ewer) Wells, age 78, of Spring Lake died March 26, 2015. She was preceded in death by husband, H. Gary Wells; son, Thomas Edward Wells; and sister, Janice McKenney. Born in Lansing, MI, she graduated cum laude from Mich Read Obituary
Dear Chris, Michael, Kim and Tom,
What a delightful Mom and Grandmother you had. Mart and I were so sorry not to learn of her passing until this week, when we returned to Grand Haven. Kay was a superb choir director, and kept us on our toes always. I well recall her mandate, "no earrings with choir robes." Mart and I adored her music selections, particularly John Rutter. I always loved the fact that she helped rehabilitate prisoners, I am sure there was a lot of music included. I well recall your Mom telling us of the happy times on your beach, and of course the choir parties there as well.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Big Hugs,
Dottie and Mart Johnson
Our favorite memory of aunt Kay is when she hosted the WELLS family reunion at her home. She made us all feel so welcome and was a terrific hostess. We will we love you and miss you Aunt Kay, Marge and JP Carrithers
Over the years, Kay became much more than conductor of the church choir that I sang in.. She was a role model, with her love and acceptance of special need's children. She was an inspiration to the community, exposing all of us to the finest in sacred music traditions, even when we did not always understand her reasons why. She was not afraid to introduce us even to music that was fun, yet carried with it a message
( " Joseph").
Kay always asked me how our kids were doing. She remembered to tell us how much she enjoyed ( or didn't enjoy) the latest symphony performance. She was more than my choir director and "Leader of the Band"... she became family!
I will miss her terribly, but she will always have a special place in my heart, and in the hearts of our family. I am so grateful to have known Kay and appreciated her gifts , concern, and above all, her sense of humor.
Thank you, Chris and Michael, for sharing her with us!
Jan White along with Roger, Nick, and Molly
Kay Wells was an important and dear friend to me, and so many other people. Her smile, drive, and compassion set her apart. She loved kids, her family, her friends, her dogs, Lake Michigan sunsets, music, and (especially) "her" choir. Kay had an innate way to bring out the best in people; with her smile and a twinkle of her eye, she'd ask for "just a little bit more". Many of us will be sharing touching, helpful, supportive, and humorous recollections of the many aspects of Kay's personality this week. She was, after all, an educator, musician, friend, loving wife, and Mom. Many of us were bonded to Kay through music and the First Presbyterian Church Choirs.
She loved traditional classical music and many a sermon was dwarfed by special music that Kay shared with the congregation. She collaborated with local musicians to feature music, from Bach to Rutter, to even "Joseph and His Technicolor Dream Coat", with a children's choir and orchestra joining us. All of this, despite a few rowdies in the bass section! (I can see that grin !)
Another virtue Kay had was patience, from beginning pianists and special needs children, to a not-so-great roof repair crew - which I was a member of - she would find a positive...then that smile!
Well, if I should find myself at those pearly gates someday, rumor has it that they probably will have a new angel choir director, and I'll be signing up!
Thanks, Kay, for the memories! We will miss you.
Roger White and the White family
I would like to thank all of our family friends that attended Kays' visitation tonight. It was wonderful to participate in your memories of her.
Michael
Kay and her family have lived next door to my mom and dad since 1967. There are many stories that bring smiles to us. Kay was always a kind, thoughtful and generous neighbor to my parents. She will be missed. Our best wishes to Chris and Michael at this difficult time. Connie (Clements) and John Flynn
Lost: A fine lady.
A fine musician.
Scott
Like Laird, I had the great good fortune to work with and learn from Kay. She brought energy, fun, (some frustration), and a deep spirituality to our church through her musical talents. Choir with Kay was, well, a weekly adventure! As others have said, it was very often Kay's way or the highway - but it always seemed to work out so right. The process might have occasionally been flawed, but the results were superb. Whether it was the Messiah, a weekly anthem, a new cantata, or our production of "Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat," Kay had a gift for coaxing out our best sounds and musical expressions of worship.
Kay was a wonderful mentor, encouraging me to take on the children's choir, and helped me negotiate that new challenge. She also taught me about the need for forthright debate and thoughtful engagement on issues that mattered (and that a clean office was the sign of a troubled mind).
While I have lost touch with Kay over the last few years, I cannot listen to sacred music without thinking of her and asking, "what would Kay have done differently."
We both fell in love with the John Rutter anthem, "God be in my head," and promised that, depending on who died first, we would sing it at the other's funeral. I cannot be in GH to celebrate Kay's life with you, but wanted to offer this recording by the Cambridge Singers as a small token of my affection and love.
Don Linebaugh
Stewartstown, PA
I am saddened to hear of Kay's death. We worked together when I was the Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Grand Haven. I loved working with Kay. I always knew what she was thinking. This encouraged me to be clear and straight forward in return. We shared similar values for music and worship. Her brightness and humor made working with her all the more enjoyable and memorable. God bless her.
