Gay Jepkema age 82 of Kalamazoo passed away Saturday afternoon, May 30, 2026. Gay was born in Kalamazoo on July 27, 1943, the daughter of Andrew and Mary (Green) Blink. Gay was a lover of animals and always had a dog in the house. Of all things, Gay was most proud of her granddaughter who recently graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School. Gay is survived by her son, Trevor (Michele) Jepkema; granddaughter, Riley Jepkema, M.D.; sister, Sharon (Robert) Walley; nieces, Traci (Rob) Drake, Carrie (Jason) Jepsen; great-nieces and nephew, Chelsea Jepsen, Johanna Drake, Lydia Jepsen, Nolan Drake; and countless friends. Gay was preceded in death by her parents; and her former husband, James “Jim” Jepkema.