Katherine A. "Kathy" Gildea

February 6, 2026

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