Louise Willetts Kenaga

Alberta Louise Willetts Kenaga passed away peacefully on August 31st in Ada, Michigan. She was born August 10, 1932, in Avalon, Pennsylvania to parents Elsie and Leo Willetts. She lived there along with her older brother Carl until moving to Grand Rapids. She graduated from Grand Rapids Central High School in 1950.

After high school, Louise earned the “Certified Professional Secretary” designation from Katherine Gibbs Secretarial College in Chicago. She started her career as a professional secretary for American Seating Company in New York City, where she first met her future husband Raymond K. Kenaga.

They married in 1957 and lived in New Bedford, New York. The two moved back to the Grand Rapids area in 1978 along with a pair of Labrador Retrievers, and eventually acquired a modest bungalow on a large, wooded tract on Conservation Road SE in Ada.

Over the years, she oversaw the cottage’s expansion and conversion to a stylish retreat that could have been taken from the pages of Architectural Digest. The house was designed for entertaining, and the surrounding property configured as a haven for their many beloved Labs. For decades, the so named “Twin Ponds” was a regular site for social gatherings of neighbors, business associates, community leaders, close friends and family.

Louise maintained a busy life as an art consultant, hostess and administrative advisor to small businesses. She traveled extensively with Ray and a group of their friends to Europe, Hawaii and the Caribbean. Locally, she served as President of the historic Kent Garden Club, was an active member of Women’s City Club from the mid-1980s and, until recently, a regular patron of The Sweet House.

She remained active socially after husband Ray’s passing in 2013, moved to the Villas of Ada – perfecting yet another abode – and added tours of Africa and South America to her adventures. In 2021, she married long-time friend, Giles Courtney; they had known each other for over 65 years. Both had lost their spouses years earlier; but together they found a renewed sense of joy, love and companionship.  

Louise was a woman of impeccable style, subdued elegance, and uncompromising standards – qualities expected from the consummate hostess, but less common in today’s world. She was surrounded constantly by a cadre of friends and acquaintances. Louise was preceded in death by most of her family members and many close friends. She is survived by her husband Giles Courtney, nephew Doug Klein, and a multitude of long time, dedicated friends too numerous to mention.

A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday September 21, 2024 from 1-3pm at The Villas of Ada, 830 Bridge Crest Dr. SE, Ada, MI 49301. Donations to the Humane Society of West Michigan or Alzheimer’s Association – Greater Michigan Chapter, West Michigan Office, are requested in lieu of flowers.

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