Kay Peelen ’57 DeWitt

Kay Diana Peelen DeWitt, 87, of Fairfield, passed away peacefully on May 16, 2023. She was the devoted wife of the late Earl M. DeWitt.
Kay was born July 28, 1935 in Chicago, IL to the late Dr. John and Daisy Peelen. She grew up in and around Kalamazoo, MI, after traveling the country with her family while her father was a Captain in the Army during WWII. Kay graduated from Hope College in Holland, MI, where she met and married Earl. They settled in Fairfield in 1970. Kay became a familiar face in the Fairfield Public Library system, beginning as a volunteer at the Fairfield Woods Branch and eventually moving to the Main branch before retiring from Tech Services and the Children’s department at the age of 75. In her free time, Kay loved gardening, spending time outdoors soaking up the sun, and always had a new book she was reading. She was a rabid fan of both the UConn Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams and especially loved the Men’s win this year. Her greatest joy came from being surrounded by her friends and family.
Kay was the proud mother of Jane DeWitt of Fairfield, and John (Karen) DeWitt of Fairfield and Newport, RI. She was the loving grandmother of Brianna (Steven) Boreen, Tyler DeWitt, and Lauren DeWitt. Her grandchildren were the light of her life. Kay also leaves her sisters, Joan ’59 (Ray ’59) Ritsema of Cary, NC and Julie Peelen of Sarasota, FL, as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and many dear friends.