Kathleen A. Hewitt

HURLEY, Wis. - Kathleen A. Hewitt, 73, of Hurley, died peacefully Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in her home, surrounded by her loving family, following a lengthy illness.

The former Kathleen Packmayer was born Aug. 7, 1941, in Ironwood, Mich., daughter of the late John and Stella (Wisneski) Packmayer, and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1959.

She was united in marriage to Richard W. Hewitt on June 26, 1961, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Ironwood.

She was employed at Simpson Electric in Mercer, Hurley Astronautics in Hurley, Josephson Nursing Home in Ironwood, Villa Maria Health and Rehabilitation Center, Hurley, White Cap Mountain, Iron Belt, and Goodwill Industries in Coldwater, Mich. Kathy "Gramma Hair", as she was so fondly called, loved her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren unconditionally. She possessed a witty sense of humor and was always doing something crafty with super glue or duct tape, recovering numerous pieces of furniture with those items. She also was an excellent cook and baker, loved going to the casino, and especially enjoyed watching her old movies and sleepovers with her daughters. Kathy was dearly loved and will be deeply missed.

Surviving are her husband, Richard, of 53 years; four children, Rick Hewitt, Coldwater, Paula (Mark) Sbraggia, Montreal, Bonnie (Ryan) Krenzalek, Coldwater, and Carri (Richard) Galarno, Saxon; nine grandchildren, Nicole (Brandon) Pertile, Cory (Heather) Sbraggia, Sammi Sbraggia, Josh (Erica) Krenzalek, Cassandra Krenzalek (Travis), Alyssa Caruso and Paige, Whitney and Maddee Hewitt; eight great-grandchildren, Briana, Peyton, Maleah, Braxton, Addisyn, Emersyn, Chloe and Brooklyn; a brother, John (Marilyn) Packmayer, Menominee, Mich .; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jackie and Bob Saari, Wausau, Rodney "Bunter" and Donna Hewitt, Hurley, and Karen and John O'Brien, Manitowish; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Patricia Kimball; father and mother-in-law, Richard "Red" and Fannie Hockin; brother-in-law, James Hewitt; sister-in-law, Joann Hewitt; niece, Debbie Hewitt; and nephew, Dale Saari.

Out of respect for Kathy's wishes, cremation has taken place.

A celebration of her life will be held Friday, Oct. 3, 2014, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, 305 N. Lowell St., in Ironwood, with the Rev. Frank Kordek OFM, pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley, officiating.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood. Condolences may be expressed online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.