(Cherished Wife, Mother, & Friend)
Dee Christy Howlett, age 87, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of March 3, 2026, at her residence at Fairlawn Retirement Community in Archbold, Ohio.
Dee was born Oct. 4, 1938, at Detwiler Memorial Hospital in Wauseon, Ohio (now Fulton County Health Center).
She was the daughter of Donald H. Christy and Katherine Christy of Archbold and Bryan, Ohio. She grew up in Archbold and later earned an associate’s degree from Miami University of Ohio.
On March 9, 1963, Dee married Howard T. Howlett Jr. in Archbold, Ohio, beginning a partnership and family life that would span decades and many shared adventures. The two first met while Dee was working at the front counter of her family’s business, Christy Motor Sales, founded by her father.
Their early years together included traveling across the country with General Motors’ “Chevy Show,” taking them coast to coast before eventually settling in Lakewood, New York.
In Lakewood, along the southwest shore of Chautauqua Lake, Dee and her husband founded Howlett Cadillac–Oldsmobile–Pontiac, where they built both a business and a life in the community.
There they raised their two sons and spent nearly fifty years as part of the Lakewood community. Dee served on several local boards and was known throughout the area for her warmth, generosity, and willingness to help others.
Above all, Dee was devoted to her family. She embraced the many roles that came with being a wife, mother, homemaker, and mother-in-law, creating a home centered on family gatherings, especially during holidays and summers on the lake.
Those who knew her remember her as a loyal friend who was always ready to lend a hand, offer direct advice, or share a laugh. She possessed an infectious sense of humor and believed strongly that even in difficult moments, laughter and a good joke could carry people through.
Dee was preceded in death by her husband, Howard T. Howlett Jr., in 2022.
She is survived by her sister, Barb Lauber, and brother-in-law, Tom Lauber of Archbold, Ohio; her sons, Chris Howlett of Florida and Howard T. Howlett III of Bainbridge Island, Washington; her daughters-in-law, Kiersten Snyder of Florida and Gretchen M. Humphrey of Bainbridge Island; and her beloved grandchildren, Harrison Philip Howlett and Howard T. Howlett IV of Bainbridge Island, Washington.
She will be remembered for the joy and laughter she brought to every room and for the enduring love she shared with her family and friends.
Visitation for Dee will take place on Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., at the Archbold United Methodist Church. A memorial service will start at 2 p.m., with Pastor Mary Kay officiating.
Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.grisier.com. The Grisier Funeral Home of Archbold is honored to serve the Howlett family.
The obituary for Dee was lovingly prepared by her family.