Kathleen K. Gisin

Kathleen “Kathy” Kostelnik Gisin passed away peacefully from this earth and entered the gates of Heaven on Thursday, August 8, 2024, as she held her husband’s hand with her two daughters by her side. A woman with a contagious laugh and beautiful presence, Kathy leaves behind a legacy of love reminding us to take care of each other in the big and small moments of life.

Kathy was born on October 25, 1952, to Lucille and James Kostelnik in San Antonio, Texas. She spent her childhood attending Mount Sacred Heart Catholic School and was an active member of the Girl Scouts. After graduating from Ursuline High School, she attended Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State), where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Education and was a proud member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority. She loved showing off her city as she brought sorority sisters home for weekend visits of fun on the Riverwalk. She later obtained her master’s degree from St. Mary’s University in Guidance and Counseling.

Kathy met the love of her life – George – while working as a Registrar in the U.S. Army Baylor University Graduate Program in Health Administration at Fort Sam Houston. Shortly after marrying on September 13, 1980, they began their Army adventure together traveling to Fort Knox, Kentucky to be stationed at Ireland Army Community Hospital and then left for Heidelberg, Germany to be stationed at U.S. Army 7th Medical Command. Kathy and George loved their time in Europe and spent every weekend traveling throughout Germany and France with longer vacations to Switzerland, Greece, Austria, Italy, and Czechoslovakia. They loved having dinners with other dear military couples and families. Kathy often recounted all the fun she had traveling to crystal factories with other Army wives, bravely adventuring along the border of the USSR and having no fear because she was shopping for crystal. Based in Germany, Kathy developed a real love for German wine amid boisterous dinners with other couples.

While in Heidelberg, Kathy and George welcomed their first daughter, Analisa Kathleen, in 1984. Shortly thereafter, the Army Medical Department selected George for long term schooling, and they were transferred to Iowa City, Iowa where George earned a PhD in Healthcare Administration from the University of Iowa. Kathy became a loyal Hawkeye and loved attending the football games in the fall; and as a native San Antonian, she proudly laughed at having survived the long, cold winters indoors.

The couple welcomed their second daughter, Kristina Lorraine, in 1986; and the following year, they were reassigned to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, where they remained ever since. Kathy was a member of the Officers’ Wives’ Club and continued to support her husband’s military career. As her children entered school, she became a beloved room mom and substitute teacher at St. Monica Catholic School, serving on the School Council and eventually becoming a 6th grade teacher. She later was an active volunteer in school activities at Holy Spirit Catholic School where her children attended until high school. One of the greatest joys of her life came spending Friday nights at the Antonian College Preparatory High School football field watching her daughters perform on the cheerleading and dance teams while socializing with other parents.

Kathy and George had countless circles of friends through their adventures in the Army, their daughters’ activities, and among the San Antonio community. Kathy served as a board member for Children in Need, the foundation she and George started in 2002, supporting efforts to raise money for children in Zambia (Central Africa). A mother through and through, she was the rock of her family and loved becoming a grandmother. In her final act as “Kringle,” Kathy’s grandmother name because of her love of Christmas, she instilled a legacy of love and giving in each of her four grandchildren.

Left to celebrate Kathy’s full life are her husband, Dr. George J. Gisin, Jr. (LTC(P) US Army Ret.); daughter, Analisa Gisin Warren and husband Gregg; daughter, Kristina Gisin Cobb and husband Josh; grandchildren, Henry George Warren, Caroline Kathleen Cobb, Winifred “Winnie” Kristina Warren, and Collins James Cobb; and many friends who will miss her dearly.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 12, 2024 at Porter Loring Mortuary North.

RosaryThursday, September 12, 20247:00 P.M.Porter Loring Mortuary North2102 North Loop 1604 East

Eulogies followed by MassFriday, September 13, 20249:15 A.M.St. Matthew Catholic Church10703 Wurzbach Road

This is the same date and same church where she married the love of her life 44 years ago.

Interment will immediately follow at 11:15am in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. A reception will follow at a location nearby.

Click here to view the services.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Children In Need to help expand the maternity ward and provide essential beds for women as they go into labor in Mazabuka, Zambia. https://childreninneedus.org/