KACY GILLIS

GILLIS, Kacy Of Waltham, passed away unexpectedly, on July 23, 2025, at home in Waltham. She was born on January 25, 1990, in Mansfield, to Carol and William Gillis. Kacy graduated from Mansfield High School with the Class of 2008, where she was a three season athlete. Kacy excelled at distance running and was the Varsity Captain of the Cross Country and Track and Field teams. She received a bachelor degree in Public Health from Worcester State University, graduating in 2012 and going on to a career in pharmaceuticals, working in Clinical Research Operations. Kacy also worked as a waitress, where her quick wit and easy ability to make friends gained her many regulars. Kacy loved to travel and had a deep knowledge of and passion for geography. She was able to quickly to identify almost any country in the world just by its outline. She went all over, including to Italy, Portugal, and Mexico, to name a few. On one of her favorite adventures, Kacy travelled to Peru, where she hiked the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu. And just this year, she travelled to Ireland, where she kissed the Blarney Stone. Kacy was an animal lover, she loved all animals, but she particularly loved and spoiled her two rescue cats, Greg and Piper Gillis. She was also a gardener, a generous and thoughtful gift giver, and a fantastic and inventive cook, always trying new recipes and sharing her food with others. Kacy was strong-willed and was determined to push herself, and those around her, to try new things, go new places, and embrace life's challenges. Kacy is survived by her long- time partner, Patrick Giard, of Waltham; her parents, William and Carol Gillis of West Roxbury; her grandparents, James and Ruth Gillis, of Westwood; her brother, Billy Gillis, of Brighton; her sister, Samantha Gillis, of Watertown; her two cats, Greg and Piper Gillis, of Waltham; and her niece and nephew's cats, Gus and Suki Gillis, of Watertown; her godmother, Eileen Creaton, of Milton; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Visiting Hours will be held at the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 456 High St., DEDHAM, on Wednesday, July 30, from 4-8pm. A Funeral Mass will be held in St. Mary's Church, 420 High St., Dedham, on Thursday, July 31, at 10am. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Kacy's memory be made to the Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society, 63 Elm Street, Salisbury, MA 01952. Donations may also be made online at: www.mrfrs.org Online guestbook, at gfdoherty.com George F. Doherty & Sons Dedham 781-326-0500