Kathryn Estella Mix

Kathryn Estella Mix of Hastings passed away March 21, 2014, at Schmidt House, Eaton Community Palliative Care in Charlotte, MI.

Kate was born January 30, 1918, in Sunfield, MI, to Bert and Ruth (Downing) Creitz. She studied music with teachers at Olivet College after high school, becoming a certified piano teacher in both Eaton and Barry Counties. Kate began her teaching career at age 16, teaching both children and adults piano for over 80 years. She was a member of the Michigan Music Teachers' Association and an active member of the National Guild of Piano Teachers for many years.

Kathryn was extremely active in the community from the time she moved to Hastings in the mid 1960's. Besides teaching hundreds of students at her home throughout the years, she also taught for over ten years at the Community Music School of Hastings. In her honor, the Music School (part of the Music Center of South Central Michigan) is launching the Kathryn Estella Mix Endowment Fund to help keep her love of music alive long into the future.

Kate loved music and took part in many musical activities. She was active in the Thornapple Arts Council at their beginning, arranging summer outdoor programs at Fish Hatchery Park for a few years. For several years, she and her husband, Joe Mix, arranged high quality concerts at the Episcopal Parrish House, and she often accompanied singers and instrumentalists in various programs and fundraisers.

Kathryn loved all the arts. She and Joe were accomplished ballroom dancers, even winning the Arthur Murray Matched Competition for the Fox Trot in 1961. She also loved to paint, and many of her canvases hung in her home.

She was preceded in death by her third husband of nearly 30 years, Joseph Mix of Hastings, and two sons, James David (Rosetta) Perry of Jacksonville, FL, and William Weinert of Eugene, OR. She is survived by a sister, Grace Isbell, of Ypsilanti, MI, one daughter, Kathryn Diane Matson of Hastings, and two sons, Robert C. (Patricia) Perry of Vermontville, MI and Michael E. Weinert of Hastings. Also survived are 24 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

Special thanks to Thornapple Manor Rehabilitation Center for the excellent care given to Kate after her fall in January 2013, and to Schmidt House and Pennock Hospice for their compassionate care during her last days. Thanks also to Elizabeth Lepak of Hastings, Kate's dear friend and confident for many years, for her devoted support.

In keeping with Kathryn's wishes, cremation has taken place, arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. Her life will be celebrated at a memorial gathering to be set at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Pennock Hospice, or to the Kathryn Estella Mix Endowment Fund through the Barry Community Foundation.