Kathleen Morgan

Kathleen Ann McMillan Morgan,55, passed away on Wednesday, June 29, 2016 on St. Simons Island with her beloved family and friends by her side. Kathie was a native of California and grew up primarily in Santa Barbara. She lived on St. Simons Island for nearly the last six years. Kathie grew up singing and playing guitar entertaining her family, friends, members of her Church, and many others who were privileged to hear her voice. She had an incredible gift that was evident to all when she sang. Her love of music and talent for entertaining others was surpassed only by her gift of being your friend. Kathie had a unique way of making so many people understand that they were special and they really mattered to her. Kathie worked for the Federal government and began her career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in the Pacific Northwest, pursuing a career as a Park Ranger after completing her B.S. at the University of California, Davis. In 1990, she relocated to Savannah, Georgia, and served as a Park Manager for USACE for lakes along the Savannah River. There, she was assigned collateral duty as the District Environmental Compliance Coordinator. Over the next 10 years, she distinguished herself as one of the USACE leaders for Environmental Compliance knowledge and was recognized many times for her contributions. She was selected as one of only 38 “Emerging Leaders’ nationwide for USACE in 1995. In 1999, she was selected to serve as Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC’s) first Environmental Branch Chief, where she addressed many of FLETC’s environmental and occupational safety projects. In 2005, she served as a Chief in the Office of Security and Emergency Management (SEM), managing seven of SEM’s programs. She was instrumental in establishing effective continuity and emergency preparedness capabilities for FLETC, including site-specific continuity plans and response plans to major events and disasters for all four domestic FLETC training sites. A recognized subject matter expert in the continuity and emergency management fields, Kathie served as a facilitator/agency representative for national continuity and emergency management exercises, as well as a facilitator for the State of Georgia Emergency Response exercises, to ensure that exercises are conducted successfully. In 2009, she was awarded the Georgia Commendation Medal for her role in support of nuclear-biological-chemical-radiological emergency response exercises. She was a guest speaker at the 2011 National Hurricane Conference and enjoyed sharing her knowledge and experience. She was frequently asked to contribute or consult on emergency management and continuity strategies for both Federal and non-Federal entities. In fact, Kathie was a respected key team member of Department of Homeland Security working groups that provided assistance with the evolution of continuity of operations, devolution, reconstitution and emergency preparedness programs across the department. Kathie enjoyed numerous hobbies. She had always been an avid reader, and was a woman of many talents – she was a multi-talented crafter who worked with stained glass, etched glass, embroidery, and quilting. She loved traveling and the outdoors, and she especially enjoyed visiting Ireland and Scotland with her family. Kathie created a bucket list of things she wanted to do when she was diagnosed with cancer. Family and close friends were the center of her world and so it was with the bucket list. She made plans to spend time with people on her list and do something with each of them as their joint memory. It was all about sharing experiences with people so she would leave that imprint on each of them as her legacy. Kathie is survived by her parents Dr. Donald and Marilyn McMillan; her four brothers David McMillan (wife Jane) of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania; Mark McMillan (wife Denise) of Tempe, Arizona; Robert “Bob” McMillan (wife Kelli) of Las Vegas, Nevada; Bruce McMillan of St. Simons, Georgia; and Sister Rhannon Elizabeth McMillan from France. Her nieces and nephews are Derek McMillan; Rose Robles; Cassaundra Williams; Raeann McMillan; Kimber McMillan; Shaen Sellam; Shandra Sellam; Logan Sellam; and Liana Sellam. Her grandnephews are Gavin Williams; Blake Williams; and DJ Matthews. Kathie selected her four brothers and dear friends John Sheddan and John Youhas to stand for her when she is no longer able and they will do so at the ceremonies honoring her life. She also appointed special friends to be in her honor circle at the same ceremonies. The circle includes Lynda Southwell, Barbara Kochanski, Diane Buchli, Nicole Weidinger, Denae Daniels, Jenni Boczar, Val Atkins, Kerri Brogan, Danny Kiper, Stacey Rogers, Jose Delgado, and Carolyn Wiley. Former FLETC co-worker and friend Billy Brooks will lead Kathie's memorial service and deliver the eulogy, as her friends and loved ones celebrate her amazing and accomplished life. Kathie's family wishes to express their deep appreciation for the strong support of Kathie's many friends who accompanied her on medical appointments, brought food to her and her family when she was house-bound, and faithfully supported her in so many ways throughout her valiant fight with cancer. A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 1, 2016 at 10AM in the chapel of Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home, 3321 Glynn Avenue, Brunswick, Georgia. A time of visitation with the family will occur following the memorial service. Those wishing to remember Kathie through a memorial contribution may do so to Hospice of The Golden Isles, 1692 Glynco Parkway, Brunswick, GA 31525, or a charity of the donor's choice.