Catherine Ellen Gilles

Catherine Ellen Gilles December 14, 1954-November 30, 2018 Cathy was born in Milwaukee, WI to Joseph and Lucy Thompson Gilles. She grew up in Wisconsin and Minnesota, graduated from St. Francis High School, and attended University of Minnesota. Her greatest enjoyment in youth was spending time with the animals at her grandparents’ farm. Her parents and her only sibling, Greg, preceded her in death. She is survived by step-siblings and cousins in the midwest, numerous good friends in western Washington, and by her beloved dogs. Cathy’s sense of adventure brought her to Washington in the mid-70’s. She chose Lacey as her home. Her creative and mechanical abilities led to her career in telecommunications, an unusual career for women at that time. She enjoyed traveling the mountain and coastal states as a cable splicer for contractors upgrading telecommunication infrastructure. She was regarded among her co-workers as conscientious and dependable, generous and good natured. She enjoyed teaching her trade skills to community college students. Cathy successfully raised and showed Borzoi dogs for several years. She loved each pup personally, and followed their adult lives in their permanent homes. For nearly thirty years, Cathy navigated her life successfully through a murky sea of chronic depression. In recent years, as her depressive symptoms became more severe, Cathy was less able to contend with the challenges of her life, culminating in her tragic suicide. Cathy’s friends and family encourage everyone to learn from and support the programs of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) and AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention). Most of all, be kind! Arrangements by Edwards Memorial, Funerals Homes, Chapels and Crematories. 253-566-1008