Karen Sue Pitylak

KAREN SUE PITYLAK Karen Sue Pitylak, age 76, of Twining, MI., passed away peacefully at her home on October 20, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on December 18, 1948, in Dearborn, MI., to the late Edward and Hildegarde (Boehme) DuBay. Karen married the love of her life, Mike Pitylak, in 1986. They lived in Twining since the 1980s, where Karen dedicated more than 30 years of her career to the Arenac County Council on Aging (Sunrise Side Senior Services), serving as the senior center's Director for 19 years. She often spoke with high regard for her dedicated team, saying they all viewed their work as fulfilling and more than just a job. Her enduring legacy is marked by her commitment to enhancing the quality of life for senior citizens. She was instrumental in establishing the Christmas Cares program, which provides comfort and gifts to those who might be alone during the holidays, and oversaw the rollout of adult day care services to promote socialization and engagement. In her personal time, Karen excelled in the craft of sewing. She could sew just about anything, but she particularly possessed a gift for breathing new life into antique furniture through her skillful upholstery work. She also channeled her creativity into crafting unique sewn items that were sold online, leaving behind many tangible expressions of her talent. Karen is survived by her husband, Mike; their dog, Lizzie; son, Jeff DuBay of Orange City, FL; brother, Eric (Carol) DuBay of Greenville, MI; sisters, Darlene (Robert) Davey of Jacksonville, FL., Heidi (Dan) Jones of Munger, MI., Marsha (Terry Fisher) Metiva of Freeland, MI; grandchildren, Chelsea (Aaron) Burnett, Kaitlyn (fiancé, Daniel Jergins) Charters, Grant DuBay; great-grandchildren, Claire and Carter, and many nieces and nephews. Karen is preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Edward DuBay, Tom DuBay, and daughter-in-law, Kelly DuBay. The family will hold services at a time to be determined later.