Kathryn ‘Kay’ Witherstine Gilman, born April 8, 1925 to Elsie and Donald Witherstine. Married for 53 years to the late Aaron ‘Gil’ Gilman. Beloved mother of Betsy Hemley (deceased), Frederick Hemley (Freya), Susan Joseph (Anthony), Nancy Easley, William Gilman (Donna), Judith Hoelzer (Steven); treasured Grandma /Grammy Kay to Kimberly, Daniel, Nicholas, Kathryn, Mack, Helen, Glea, Robert, Megan, Jayne, and Mark. Proud Great Grandma to Tabitha, and Lily. Kathryn lost her only brother Warren, a naval pilot, to the Sea of Japan when his plane went down in 1958. She adored his only child, Pamela Witherstine Allen.
A direct descendant of soldiers, men, and women from the Cape all the way back to Peter Brown who arrived on the Mayflower in 1620, Kay simply loved Cape Cod. She raised her six children in East Northport, NY but spent summers at her family home in Provincetown. She and Gil retired to her beloved narrow land, first in Provincetown and later in Brewster. Together, they traveled the world but always returned to the Cape. She enjoyed visiting other countries and experiencing the various cultures. One of her fondest memories was being serenaded in Germany by a traveling table musician who played her favorite song, “Edelweiss”. Kay suffered a stroke in 2005 from which she never fully recovered. She was lovingly cared for by Gil and her daughter, Susan.
Kay was part Martha Stewart, part Emily Post, and large part tough Yankee broad! Kay was a gourmet cook, happily cooking for two or twenty. There was always room at family gatherings for visitors and friends for which she had many. She loved antiquing and was a collector of many treasures. She also enjoyed reading, knitting, gardening, and shopping, especially for the perfect gifts she generously gave to loved ones. Her joy was her family and family gatherings, and her cherished cats, especially Miss Abigail Peach Blossom and Jenny Wren.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Kay’s family on Monday May 26, 2014 from 3:00 – 5:00pm at the Gately Funeral Home 94 Harry Kemp Way in Provincetown. A Graveside service will take place on Tuesday May 27th at 10:00am at the family lot in the Provincetown Cemetery on Cemetery Rd.