CATHERINE B. GILL

GILL CATHERINE BURNS GILL "Cathie" Of Washington, DC passed away November 15, 2015 from an aneurysm. She was 79. Cathie was born in Salem, Mass. in 1936 to James Clifford Burns and Myrtie Rix Burns. She graduated from Mary A. Burnham School (now Stoneleigh Burnham) in 1952 and Boston University in 1956. After her graduation, she traveled through Europe for a year as a family tutor. Upon her return she moved to the DC area, worked as a teacher at Beauvoir School and met and married her husband, Dr. John R. Gill, Jr., in 1964. In the early 1980's Cathie discovered her true passion in residential real estate. Early on she worked for W. C. & A. N. Miller and Begg Real Estate. In 1985 she founded her firm, Cathie Gill, Inc. after selling "The Rocks" estate in Crestwood to Senator and Mrs. J. Rockefeller. That sale was one of the highest sales in the nation that year. She was the top individual agent for dollar volume in DC for several years and established a top woman owned business with as many as 50 real estate agents. Over the years her boutique firm handled over a billion dollars worth of transactions. One of her most noteable sales was the Phillips estate on Foxhall Road, which sold in December 2005 for $21,250,000. That sale remains the third highest in Washington, DC history and is now the Phillips Park Development. Cathie ran her business like a family and also used her experience as a teacher. Her desk was a teacher's desk and her office was open like a classroom. She had many Japanese interns who learned from her and took those skills back to Japan. Cathie loved the opportunity to meet and work with a wide variety of people and she relished the chance at helping them find the perfect home. She represented foreign governments, prominent local families and universities, as well as, recent college graduates looking for apartments. Whether calling about renting an apartment or buying a mansion, anyone would get Cathie's attention and interest. Among women real estate agents and clients, Cathie was known for her style by wearing colorful and fashionable clothing. She was an active member of The Sulgrave Club and The Chevy Chase Club. She was also a member of the congregation of the Christ Church, Georgetown for over 50 years. She is survived by her three children, Helen Arnold (Anderson), of Palm Beach, FL, Catherine Jacobson (Izaak) Longmont, CO and John R. Gill, III of Washington, DC; four grandchildren, Isabella, Hannah, Samuel and Zachary Jacobson; and many extended relatives and great friends. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 51 years, Dr. John R. Gill, Jr. Funeral services will be held on December 4, 2015 at Christ Church, Georgetown, 3116 O Street, NW, Washington, DC at 10:30 a.m. A reception will follow in Keith Hall. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Cathie Gills' memory are encouraged to offer donations to Christ Church, Georgetown.