DETROIT (Michigan News Source) – Long standing Michigan company, Carhartt, announced this week the passing of the company’s heiress and chairman emeritus.

Gretchen Valade died peacefully at her home on December 30th surrounded by her family. She was 97 years old.

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Valade was a lifelong resident of Grosse Pointe Farms and served on the Carhartt board since 1958. She was named chairman of the board in 1998 after her husband, company president Robert Valade, passed away.