Katherine A. Murray Gildea, 66, passed away on February 5, 2026, in Scott, Arkansas, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born the eldest child of John and Marilyn Murray in Portsmouth, Virginia, she grew up in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, embracing being the big sister.
After graduating from Indiana University (Bloomington, Indiana), she eventually moved to Auburn, Washington, where she met and married the love of her life, David Gildea, in 2005, and together they raised their daughter, Jada.
In addition to a degree in Comparative Literature, she was a mostly self-taught database developer, working for several national and international companies and being highly sought as a database design consultant. In 2024, she retired from the Wilbur-Ellis Company so that she and David could travel in their RV. After crossing the country looking for the perfect community, she and David began this new chapter in their lives in their new home in Scott, Arkansas.
She will be remembered for the many roles she embraced. With her deep love of family, she not only was a devoted mom to Jada but also was a generous surrogate mom to many of Jada’s friends and teammates, providing years of support, advice, and encouragement. Kathy extended her family ties to include many whose last name was Murray through the Scottish Murray Clan Society of North American, in which she served as the Washington State Commissioner, attending many Highland Games and sharing her Murray family history.
In her spare time, she enjoyed ballroom dancing, riding her Harley Davidson motorcycle, camping in the RV, and supporting many local and regional artisans and craft makers that she met during her travels.
Kathy was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband David; daughter Jada Leonard of Portland, Oregon; stepson Jerimiah Gildea (Aga) of Portland, Oregon; stepdaughter Elizabeth Gildea of Tacoma, Washington; and granddaughters Lydia and Josephine.
Also mourning her passing are her sisters Sandra Spingler (Don) of New Bern, North Carolina; Mary Murray of Oak Ridge, Tennessee; brother John (Bud) Murray (Tammy) of Athens, Tennessee; and numerous loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and in-laws.
Honoring her request, there will be no formal services. Her ashes will be privately scattered at a later date within her beloved Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
In her memory, donations may be made to the cancer research organization of your choice.
Arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com
6 Comments
To Kathy’s family and friends, especially David and Jada, I offer my deepest sympathy for the death of Kathy. I know firsthand how difficult it is to lose someone who is young like Kathy, from cancer. Please know that I have you all in my prayers as we grieve the loss of our dear family member Kathy.She was a wonderful, active, fun loving, kind, and caring woman who will be missed by all who knew her.
I will sorely miss my friend Kathy. We bonded at Port of Seattle and remained friends for 20+ years. My love and prayers go out to David, Jada and family. May she rest in Heavenly Peace.
Kathy was my cousin, the daughter of my dad’s sister. I have always admired all of my Murray cousins who are among the strongest, smartest, and most loving people I know, and Kathy embodied that strength and passion.
I have four daughters, and after each one was born, Kathy made them a blanket. Not just a blanket—but the blanket. For every one of my girls, Kathy’s handmade gift became their one and only “blankie.” The kind of blankie that meant everything. The kind we once drove more than once over an hour back home to retrieve, knowing full well that no vacation could possibly be enjoyable without it.
Those blankets were more than yarn and stitches. They were love, comfort, and constancy—wrapped around my children in the same gentle way Kathy wrapped her love around everyone she cared for.
I love you, cousin. I pray for your sweet family, and I look forward to an eternal reunion one day.
I have many fond memories of family reunions with my cousin Kathy and the rest of the Murray family. Having also lived for many years in Washington state, we shared a passion for all that the Pacific Northwest has to offer. My love and condolences to David and Jada, and to Sandra, Mary, and Bud.
Kathy was the oldest cousin of the Murray/Hildreth clan and I was just now thinking what that must have been like for her at our many family reunions at Gatlinburg, Sarasota, and the Pink Shell. She was always so loving and protective of her “little cousins.” She always made time for us. I remember having dinner with her and David in Tacoma. I remember her showing us around the Coke headquarters in Atlanta when she worked there. Seeing her office was amazing to me! Dear David, Jada, Sandra, Mary, and Bud, I’m so sorry for your tremendous loss. Kathy was certainly very special!
I’m so sorry for your loss. My condolences to the family with many prayers. Kathy was a wonderful friend from elementary school thru high school. Then later in life we found each other on FB. We talked about our many travels we had both had. Rest Peacefully my friend
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