Gloria L. Brecheisen

Gloria “Gay” Lucretia (McKay) Brecheisen, born September 29, 1929 in Roche Harbor, Washington to James Floyd McKay and Anges Phyllis Burr, peacefully passed away from this life on August 13, 2015 with family by her side. She is survived by her sister Carol, her five children, Gay Lynn, Donald, Marla, Floyd and William (and their spouses). She also leaves her 16 grandchildren (their spouses) and 10 great grandchildren.

Gay was raised in Friday Harbor, part of the San Juan Islands in Washington. She joined the Navy in December 1949 and was stationed in San Diego, California where she met the love of her life Donald Irvin Brecheisen. They were married November 11, 1950 and raised a wonderful family.

Gay was a Certified Nursing Assistant and spent her life working to better and comfort others. She loved the outdoors, gardening, sewing, needlework, cooking and mostly being around her family.

Gay never let anything stop her or get in the way of what she wanted, she was determined, strong willed, hardworking and thankful for everything she had. She was proud of who she was and loved her life. Her caring and gracious traits shined through her children and grandchildren, showing them how to always be there for others, how to be kind and patient when meeting people and how to always be accepting of others and to love them for who they are. She had humor like no other always finding the sunshine and rainbow to laugh at even in the darkest of situations. She was tough and straight forward always saying that it’s best to be honest so that others know that they can trust you when they need you the most. She loved her grandchildren more than life itself and she lit up and beamed with pride when she saw them and even more when she would talk about them. She was beautiful and courageous and the very definition of feisty and she invested every fiber of her being into people she would meet making them feel like they were her family. She was talented at everything she tried and she would always face any situation with a smile on her face.

She was the glue that held so many people together and the spark that made their lives shine. She will be missed greatly.

“You know what Ness? You only get one life to live so why not be proud of yourself, love who you know, and appreciate everything that has been brought your way. If you show others how to do just that, think of how great this world could actually be.”

-Gay Brecheisen

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to St. Jude's foundation.