In Memoriam: Claudé Kiewiet, Former Promotion Concepts President


How often do you multi-task?
All the time, it's the only way I get things done. Sometimes, I try not to but sometimes I can't help it. Never, I just can't do more than one thing at a time.

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In Memoriam: Claudé Kiewiet, Former Promotion Concepts President

Issue: 2009aug

Claudé Kiewiet, former president of Kalamazoo, Michigan-based distributor Promotion Concepts, Inc., died July 27 after fighting cancer. She was 54. Claudé was born in Meaux, France, on January 28 to Edvins and Lucie Svilpe. She graduated from Loy Norrix High School in Kalamazoo and attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College.

Kiewiet was an active industry member who broke barriers early on as the first female grocery merchandiser in Michigan. In promotional products, she served on the PPAI Women’s Leadership Conference organizing committee. She also was a private pilot and a certified Master Gardener. Most recently she was the proprietor of Jake’s, a Life is Good shop in Pittsford, New York.

Kiewiet is survived by her parents, her former husband, Paul Kiewiet, MAS, CIP, of Kalamazoo, Michigan-based distributor BrandKiwi, an affiliate of Mercury Promotions and Fulfillment (UPIC: kiwi); and daughters, Liz and Stephanie. Funeral services and burial were August 4 in Canandaigua, New York. A memorial service will be held at 2 pm Sunday, August 16, at the Kalamazoo Nature Center in Michigan.

Memorial contributions may be made in Kiewiet’s name to the nature center, the American Cancer Society, Promotional Products Education Foundation (PPEF) or the charity of your choice.

Comments (2)

8/12/2009
Nate Bailey (nbailey@promotionconcepts.com)
company: Promotion Concepts Inc
title: Account Executive
"As an account executive during Claude's co-ownership of Promotion Concpets, it was great to get to know her. Paul, I will see you this weekend at the KNC. I hope all is well."

11/25/2009
Kathleen Gilligan-Smith (imauneek12@yahoo.com)
company: Gilligan-Smith
title: artist/writer
"My heart goes out to her family... I knew her from school. It saddens me greatly to see that she has passed away - she was a wonderfully sweet person and will be missed. KEGS"

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