Kaloa "Kaye" Pilmore

Kaloa “Kaye” Pilmore was a simply amazing woman, a woman of character, of love and of class. She lived her life deliberately, with a sense of purpose so much greater than most of us. She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother, and true friend. Kaye had a passion for the Arts, a passion only exceeded by the love she held for her family and grandchildren, who she held so dear to her heart.

The year 1943 found the United States deeply engulfed in the battles of World War II. While generals celebrated the dedication of the Pentagon, thousands of miles away, soldiers engaged in the Battle of Guadalcanal, defeating Japanese troops. In St. Louis, Missouri, William A. Sack, a soldier in the U.S. Army, and his wife, Leola Bell (Ramalia), were having a celebration of their own with the birth of their first child, daughter Kaloa, on July 28, 1943. Her father gave her this beautiful name, which means “flower” in Hawaii. Kaloa, or Kaye as she was called, was later joined by three younger siblings: Debra, Linda and William Jr. Kaye took her role as the oldest serious and made sure her brother and sisters knew she was always the boss.

Kaye was a bright and energetic little girl, who loved to spend her leisure time building forts and riding the oil well on their property, and in her calmer moments, reading and doing art. She also got into her fair share of mischief too, like sitting in the watermelon patch and breaking one so she could eat it. Kaye loved her family and was especially close to her grandparents growing up. After World War II was over and her father was out of the service, the Sack family moved to Muskegon, Michigan. Here, Kaye began attending the area schools, where she was an excellent student and played clarinet in her high school band.

Kaye graduated from Lee High School in 1961, and then went to work as a waitress at what is now the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. She also continued her education, taking classes at Grand Rapids Community College. While on campus, Kaye met Dennis Pilmore, and they soon began dating. As their love blossomed, Dennis invited Kaye to meet his parents over a cup of tea, which unfortunately didn’t go to well when Kaye spit her mouthful of tea all over her future mother-in-law after Dennis’ father told a joke. As fate would have it, Dennis and Kaye were happily married on August 29, 1964. After saying “I do,” the newlyweds moved into married student housing at Michigan State University, and while Dennis completed his teaching degree, Kaye took some art classes, which ultimately became her passion.

After Dennis graduated, he took a teaching position in the Pewamo-Westphalia Schools. He and Kaye then worked together to start a drama program at PW High School, and was actively involved in every play for the next 14 years. A very driven and goal oriented person, Kaye put her passion for art to use developing an art program in the PW Schools, something she truly enjoyed. Outside of school, Kaye and Dennis continued their passion for the Arts by starting a theater group called the Pewamo-Westphalia Community Players. Kaye was never one to sit around and wait for things to happen – she jumped right in and made it happen. Being a natural leader, it was no surprise that Kaye put her efforts toward founding the Clinton County Arts Council and served as the Director from 1985 to 2005.

It wasn’t long before Kaye and Dennis had something even more wonderful to focus on – their three children: Robert, Barbara and Patricia. Kaye was very devoted to her children and took an active role in every phase of their lives. From volunteering at school activities and sewing Halloween costumes and drum and bugle corp uniforms, her passion was to support her family. Kaye was spontaneous and fun too and made every day interesting. Among her many talents, Kaye was a great cook and baker, and every Saturday night the family gathered for some of her homemade pizza. When it came to relaxing, the family spent some time every summer at the Casari family cabin in Cheboygan, creating many unforgettable memories together. In later years, when Kaye was blessed with three precious grandchildren, she poured the same amount of love into these relationships as she did with her own children.

Kaye loved her family dearly, and she and Dennis enjoyed 29 great years together. Inseparable since college, they did everything together. When Kaye and her friends would go out together on one of their spur of the moment “adventures”, Dennis and the other husbands stayed home and worried what the “girls” were getting into. Sadly, Kaye lost her beloved husband Dennis from a sudden heart attack on November 20, 1993. Although heartbroken, Kaye found comfort in her children and grandchildren. She looked forward to talking to them on the phone; she always had a listening ear and a shoulder to lean on for them. Kaye loved receiving new pictures of her grandkids too that she could show to others. In her leisure time, she enjoyed watching Oprah, and found much joy in cats and flowers over the years.

In 2006, Kaye began suffering with health problems of her own. She tried to remain positive and feisty in her fight to regain her health, and she had many wonderful caregivers to support her too. Kaye passed away on Tuesday, January 25, 2011, at the age of 67.

Kaye will be remembered for her love and passion for the arts and for her positive, loving reflection towards her friends and family. She will be dearly missed.

Kaye is survived by her three children: Robert Pilmore of St. Francis, WI, Barbara (Russ Braman) Pilmore of Williamsville, NY, and Patricia Pilmore of Racine, WI; grandchildren: Alexander Pilmore, Elise Braman, Kaelyn Braman; sisters, Debra (Richard) Croff, and Linda (John) Rutherford; and several nieces and nephews. Kaye was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Dennis, and brother, William Jr.

Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, January 28, at the Osgood Funeral Homes at 104 E. Cass Street in St. Johns, with Pastor David Hudgens officiating. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the Pewamo-Westphalia Drama or Band Department or a charity of the donor’s choice. Please visit Kaye’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com/memories/66106, where you may share a memory with her family or sign her online guest book.