Catherine Bernadette Gilson

Tucson, AZ- Catherine B. Gilson, age 84, has “fought the good fight, & finished her race, and kept the faith” (2Tim 4:7). She was called home by Jesus on August 9th, 2020 after complications with her long battle with lung cancer. She has now entered her rest & eternal joy with Jesus. Catherine, also known to those closest to her as Kay, was born on October 10, 1935 in Martins Ferry, Ohio to John and Nellie Snezek.

She was the middle of three daughters. She graduated from St. Joseph’s High School in Wheeling, WV in 1953. She immediately began pursuing her life’s dream of a nursing career at Wheeling Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1956. She married her husband, Cy Gilson on May 10, 1958. Kay and her family moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1965. She was blessed with four children and an amazing nursing career that spanned over 40 years. In 1997, she retired from nursing and became a full-time wife and grandmother. In 2004, she and her husband moved from Phoenix to the Tucson area to be closer to her grandchildren.

Kay and Cy both professed their faith in Jesus alone for salvation and were baptized on April 30, 2006 at CDO Baptist Church in Tucson. Faith and family were the cornerstone to Kay’s daily life. These last few years she’d say were full of love of family and great memories with her children & grandchildren. She was very active in participating in the events and celebrations of her family & friends including; numerous holidays, birthdays, school events, countless sporting events, graduations, weekly workouts with the girls, and nurses’ luncheons in Phoenix. This brought to her a great deal of joy. Kay also loved to cook and could at any time be seen searching out new recipes to try, especially for the weekly Sunday Dinners at Grandma’s house, that were regularly enjoyed over the years.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Cy Gilson, her four children and their spouses: Terry Gilson, Danny Gilson, Rick & Linda Gilson, Clint & Erin Cole; as well as her grandchildren Rob & Shania Crespin, Tegan Cole, Braeden Cole & Bryce Musgrave-Gilson.

In lieu of flowers, please make a home cooked meal, sit at your dinner table, use the good china, turn off the electronics, and enjoy your family. Take your time to laugh and sharing fun memories together.This would make Kay happy to know you are spending time with those you love because every day is a gift.

A Visitation for Catherine will be held Tuesday, August 18, 2020 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at East Lawn Palms Mortuary, 5801 East Grant Road, Tucson, AZ 85712. A funeral service will follow from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.eastlawnpalmsmortuary.com for the Gilson family.