Cathy Elaine Gilman

She was born on December 1, 1956, to Rolland and Myra Campbell.

She grew up in Mt. Lake Terrace, WA with her 2 sisters and 3 brothers.

She was preceded in death by her husband Roger O. Gilman, father Rolland Campbell, Mother Myra Campbell, brother Dale Campbell, sister Anna Lively, Stepdaughter Elizabeth J. Miller, and foster daughter Gina Blatchford.

Cathy leaves behind her sons Barron Gibbs (wife Carolina) and Brennon Gibbs (their father John Gibbs). Her siblings Darrell Campbell, Doug Campbell & Christy Solorio; and former Husband Morris Alexander. She also leaves behind her stepdaughters Vandy Dodge (Jason Dodge), Wilda Gilman, and Lana Gilman; her grandchildren Elijah Dodge, Shyanne Dodge, Gabriel Anderson, Alexis Dodge, Lily Dodge, and Isabel Dodge; as well as her uncle John Campbell and many nieces and nephews.

She worked most of her life as a hospice care coordinator.

She participated in many church choirs, she loved teaching the children at church, and served in many other callings in church. She lived her testimony of Christ by her actions and example to others. Cathy had a brave, fun, and adventurous spirit. She had a love for traveling, little treasures, a good movie, dancing, and unique and decorative containers. Her favorite color was blue, in every shade. Just like the waters, always moving and full of life. She enjoyed reading, going on outings, and sneaking her grandkids candy. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. She was friendly and was known for her high energy, and positive spirit.

She had a kind heart but knew how to set boundaries. She was adventurous and resourceful. “Waste not want not” was one of her mantras. She had a firm testimony of her Savior and His love for Everyone. She brought energy and life to those who were privileged to know her. Some of her Favorite Songs: “I am a child of God” and “You are my sunshine.”

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow penned:

The grave itself is but a covered bridge.

Leading from light to light through a brief darkness.

"Till We Meet Again"

Cathy will be dearly missed and always Loved.

A visitation for Cathy will be held Monday, January 15, 2024 from 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 110 50TH ST SW, Everett, WA 98203. A funeral service will occur Monday, January 15, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, 110 50Th ST SW, Everertt, WA 98203. A graveside service will follow at Marysville Cemetery, 8801 State Ave, Marysville, WA 98270.

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Memories from Christy Solorio:

Cathy is survived by her older brother Darrell, her older sister Christy and her younger brother Douglas. She has only one uncle still living, but has many cousins.

Most experiences I remember sharing with Cathy are long stories so I won’t share those, but here is a list of a few of her favorite things…

Anything blue… Like our mom and myself, Cathy loved the color blue in almost any shade. Dresses, houses, flowers, Blue Onion and Blue Willow dishes. But we were all drawn particularly to blue glass. I have several blue bowls and vases, etc, that Cathy loved and I gave her a couple of them. But the one that Cathy truly coveted is an intricately cut cobalt blue glass bowl that nestles in a brass filigree tripod stand. She was supposed to get that when I passed away. But she cheated and left before I did. I think of her and smile every time I look at it.

Containers… Again, like Mom and me, Cathy had a “thing” about boxes, tins, and candy dishes. Basically, anything small that one could put something in. Even cardboard boxes if we decided that they were “just perfect” would be stowed away waiting for that “perfect” use.

Movies… Cathy loved to go to the movies. Movies of any kind. Comedy, fantasy, sci-fi, true story, you name it. There was a time when she went to the theatre almost every week. Mom used to tease her saying that she couldn’t rely on Cathy to give an accurate review of a movie because Cathy always thought that they were ALL great!

Treats…Cathy’s favorites were red licorice, popcorn and anything chocolate. She loved French Dip sandwiches, tuna noodle casserole and devilled eggs. She would happily eat six of those eggs at a time!

Cathy loved plants, but openly admitted that she did not have a green thumb. She had no house plants until a few years ago when she realized she was able to keep them growing, then she got a bunch of them and enjoyed having them in her home. She called me on the phone one day happy to announce that she was growing some veggies in her house from scraps. She didn’t know the names of any plants and so started learning until she could name quite a few. When we walked together in my garden, she was always so proud when she could identify a plant or flower and tell me what it was.

Travel… Cathy and I used to talk for hours and dream about going to places all over the Earth. Japan, Samoa, Greece and many others. During the summer when we were young the Greyhound bus would let you travel the entire USA for three months for $99 and we both really thought that would be an exciting thing to do. Cathy was able to go to a few places, albeit not too exotic. She went to Hawaii twice, to Disneyland with her boys when they were young, and on an Alaskan cruise. She went to British Columbia for a week and to the Hot Air Balloon Festival in New Mexico. Last year she took a road trip to Texas to visit family and stopped along the way to visit friends living in several states. Her plans were to head East to Missouri this coming summer to visit family and see some of the live shows in Branson.

What I remember most about Cathy is that she made friends easily. Coworkers, church members, extended family, store personnel, even strangers. Everyone liked her. Especially me, her big sister.

She is sorely missed.