KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Yvette Ann Gayeff, 40, of 2723 South Rose St., Kalamazoo, Mich., passed away on June 6, 2012, in her mother's arms after a 3 1/2 year battle with cancer. She was loved and supported by her family and her many friends and co-workers. She was a shining light in this world and will be forever missed.
Yvette was born Dec. 21, 1971, in Grand Rapids and moved to Gladstone in 1978. She attended Holy Name Catholic Grade School in Escanaba. She was a 1990 graduate of Gladstone High School and took her Yooper spirit to Aquinas College in Grand Rapids where she graduated in 1994 with a degree in social work. She was employed by Allegan County Mental Health Services.
She is survived by her daughters, Maya and Aja Miller, ages 11 and 8; her loving companion, Jeff Heintz; her parents, Paul and Beverly Gayeff of Gladstone; her brother, Todd of St. Paul, Minn., and niece, Cynder; her sister Paula (Nick) Judson; and twin nephews, Drake and Trey, of Plainwell, Mich.; several aunts, uncles and cousins.
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Yvette Ann Gayeff
She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Todd and Violet Gayeff of Escanaba; and maternal grandparents, John and Betty Tietz of Frederic, Wis.
The family will receive friends at St. Joseph and St. Patrick Catholic Church on Friday, June 15, from 3 to 5 p.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow with family friend Rev. Glen Theoret officiating. Her ashes will be interred at Holy Cross Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given in her memory to her Children's Education Fund, c/o Paul Gayeff, 7372 Lake Bluff 19.4 Road, Gladstone, or to the American Cancer Society. Messages of condolences can be sent to the website www.lifestorynet.com.