Kaywin was born July 12,1934, in Battle Creek MI, to George and Helen (Miller) Leasor. Her sister Ellen was born July 3 ,1933 and preceded mom in death on 11-19-2024. Ellen was her lifelong best friend. Their bond was irrevocable, and Kaywin was deeply affected by her death as well as the death of her beloved son Kristian in October 2020.

Kaywin, Aunt Kay, TainTain, Namtayum, Whitefeather, Snowy Owl, Lulu, Grandma Turtle, Mother of Thousands are some of the many designations given her in a life with many chapters.

Mentor, friend, confidant, nurse, teacher, mother are many of the roles she filled, lastly in life a grandma and Great Grandma. But she never dressed like a grandma in her silver Birks, extravagant eyewear, and tie-dyed Crocs. Fashion was always a part of her personality and was dictated by her moods.

Gypsy Soul- she was a child of the Universe always searching for the answers to life’s eternal questions. Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, The Carolinas, Nigeria, Hawaii and Oregon were some of the places she called home. She made lifelong friends and left lasting impressions wherever she went. Kaywin collected treasures. Rocks, shells, art, driftwood, poems, trinkets, all things beautiful. She called herself a crow, always looking for something shiny. Her home was bursting with beauty and stories; she made her space speak with her personality. But even more than treasures she collected people. She noticed things others missed. She made people feel seen and special, she listened, remembered and nourished people with love and understanding.

One of the best ways Mom showed love was through her magic food. She became a chef in mid-life and worked at a fine dining establishment on Maui, Stubbs in Northport, and once catered an unforgettable dessert and drink gala at Northport Point. But her best work was as a private chef for her family. She cooked on woodstoves, campfires, gas, electric, and toaster ovens. Birthday cakes and pies were always a treat. Her meals were always exploring cuisines, flavors, textures, spices and the not- so- secret ingredient was love. Kaywin loved to laugh even at her own Died July 20, 2025

expense. Bad jokes, good jokes, puns and even dad jokes. She was even working on a “sit-down stand-up’ routine in the last few years.

She also loved games and cards. Rummy, dice, Five Crowns, solitaire, any game she was up for anytime. Wordle and Connections were her daily brain sharpeners. Always a winner. Even in the last week of her life she played a good game of cribbage with her neighbor Eric. Kaywin created a strong, funny, creative and passionate family. We were raised to think for ourselves, speak our truth, and question authority. We may have got our last name from our father, but all that it means to be a Dean came from Kaywin. Kaywin was a true friend to all. She had a gift for conversation and was genuinely interested in the lives of those she spoke with.

We will carry her legacy of hard work, compassion, love of the natural world, endless curiosity but most of all her sense of wonder. We will carry her with us with every rock we pick up, when we “talk story” and exaggerate a bit, when we share food, when we are brave enough to love someone as is, and when we give real hugs and kisses and make real connections. Let’s all try to be a little more open to think from a different perspective, stretch and grow, live loud and love big.

Cheers to you Mom, Mommy, Ma, Mama, Mamacita, you will be dearly missed, and your memory will truly be a blessing. Peace, love and light.

Kaywin is survived by her children: Jaycin Dean ( Jonathan Rand), Reginald Clayton (Wendy) Dean, Chad (Darci] Dean, Rachael (Will Harper) Dean, and Gabrielle Shaw. Daughter in law Keri Dean; her grandchildren Alyosha ( Jeanine) Schultz, Chloe Rose Bostwick, Noah (Tiffany)Dean, Nicholas (Erica) Dean, Hanen, Ariel, Kaitlyn, Damian and Kolton Dean, Emily Miller (Patrick), Sam Miller and Audrey Mason.

As per Kaywin’s wishes, cremation has taken place and services have been held. Donations in her name can be made to WomenServe 4515 Ross Rd. Sebastopol, CA 95472 or Northport Performing Arts Center PO Box 319 Northport, MI 49670. Please share condolences and memories with Kaywin’s family at www.martinson. info.

Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.