Katherine Marie Gill

Katherine Marie Gill, Kathy, age 74, of Cedarville, Michigan, passed away unexpectedly on May 26th, 2019 while attending a family member’s wedding in Virginia. She was born into a loving family on July 4th, 1944 to Albert Enoch and Marie Helen (Sibley) Slee in Grand Ledge, Michigan. Kathy was the youngest of three children. Kathy grew up in Grand Ledge and graduated from Grand Ledge High School in 1963. Following her grandmother’s footsteps and her love for style, she attended Murphy School of Cosmetology in Lansing, graduating in 1963. Her professional career started in Carmen Neair’s beauty salon in Lower Michigan. A skiing trip to Cedarville changed her path; she met the love of her life, James R. Gill. Kathy and Jim married August 21st, 1971 at Grand Ledge Methodist Church. They built a life together in Cedarville, MI and had two beautiful children, Rick and Tammy. Professionally she continued her career at Country Curl beauty salon, where she then took ownership, placing her style in the business. Her personal life was also very rich, juggling motherhood with her love for wood carving, painting, knitting, gardening, boating and air-sledding. In the year 2000, Kathy and Jim made the decision to retire. This gave them the opportunity to have all the time in the world to enjoy many fun and exciting activities they loved. Air-sledding was a regular in the winter, gliding on ice through the Les Cheneaux Islands as far reaching as Ontario, Canada. She belonged to the Les Cheneaux Air Sled Club. In the summer, boating was their other passion. Boat trips were a routine. They cruised up and down the lakes, from Lake Michigan to Lake Huron and in between. They also enjoyed the Caribbean. First traveling there with friends, exploring many islands. Later visiting Puerto Rico, where they found a second home base, together with their son Rick and his wife, and their two children. In Puerto Rico, Kathy and Jim spent their winters, enjoying the hot sun, the warm sea and beachcombing for sea-glass and shells. Kathy was a fun person, enjoyed dressing-up for Pirate Day, but also loved the quiet walks and spending time with her friends at Lady’s Lunch. She also belonged to VFW Women’s Auxiliary. Kathy is survived by her husband, James Gill; son, Rick (Valeria Ciccone) Gill of Naguabo, Puerto Rico; daughter, Tammy (Hobie) Kirsch of Topinabee, Michigan; granddaughters, Joelyanis and Joelys; sister Sue (Stanley) Kimmel of Bellaire, Michigan. Kathy is preceded in death by her parents Marie and Albert Slee; and brother, Jerry Slee. A Memorial Gathering will be held on Friday, June 7th, 2019 from 10:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M at R. Galer Funeral Home in Pickford, Michigan. Memorial Service will follow at 11:30 A.M. Memorial Contributions may be made to Chippewa Animal Shelter or Mackinac Animal Shelter

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Katherine Marie Gill

July 4, 1944 - May 26, 2019