Kathleen "Kay" (Abbott) Sliter

Kathleen “Kay” Sliter, age 88, of Barbeau and longtime resident of Wetmore, died on Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023 in Marquette under the loving care of her husband, children, and Lake Superior Hospice following a four year illness.   She was born in Troy, New York on July 28, 1934 to Paul and Emma (Wade) Abbott.  Kay graduated from Troy High School and earned her associate degree from Green Mountain College.  She married Bill Davis who was completing his degree in architecture at R.P.I in Troy.  While Bill was in the service, they moved around the country.  They settled in the Panama Canal Zone where they were blessed with two children, Scott and Shereé. While there, Bill was tragically killed in a plane crash.  Kay and her two young children stayed in Panama for a while, where she worked for the government.  After a couple of years, they returned to her home base in New York.

Her love of horses, a gift passed down from her father, led her to the farm where she re-met longtime family friend, David Sliter.  His physical therapy position brought him to the Munising area, and it wasn’t long after that he proposed.  They were married on February 29, 1964, and their family moved to the old Wetmore School.   The family grew with two more children, David and Kathy. Kay remained a homemaker for a period of time, then went to work at the pole plant, doctors office, then finally to her most fulfilling and enjoyable position  in the Munising Public School System as an administrative assistant.  Kay was a beloved figure in the community and her thoughtful nature made her a natural confidante and mentor to the youth in the middle school.  Kay and David were members of the Moose Lodge and Dance Club where they delighted in meeting with friends and attending dances to pass the winter.

Dave took a position completing the organization of a sports medicine clinic in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan while Kay remained in Wetmore. One of them was always traveling on the weekends to visit the other. When Kay retired from the school, she moved to Barbeau to join her husband. There, they enjoyed boating, gathering with neighbors and watching the passing ships from their home on the Ste. Mary’s River.

Kay passed her love of horses and all animals down to her children who then passed that passion to her grandchildren.  She was a devoted wife, and especially kind, generous, and warmhearted mother and grandmother. She adored her friends and the adventures she shared with them. When she was your friend, she was truly so.

Kay is survived by her husband of over fifty-eight years - David Sliter of Barbeau; children – Scott Davis of Seneca, SC, Shereé (Brian) Davis-Murphy of Marquette, David (Karen) Sliter of Vienna, Austria, and Kathy  Sliter/Damon Butler of Marquette;  granddaughters – Katrina, Jessica, Jaquie, and Stephanie Sliter.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents Paul and Emma and her older sister Virginia (Donald) Birkmayer.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to be made to the Alger County Animal Shelter (510 E. Munising Ave., Munising, MI  49862) or the Chippewa County Animal Shelter (3660 S. Mackinac Trail, Sault Ste. Marie, MI  49783) in Kay’s memory.

Visiting time with family and friends will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Sunday, July 16, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.  There will be an opportunity to share stories and memories at 3:00 p.m.