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Gatlin, Kathy

October 23, 1945 –
 November 29, 2014

Obituary

Kathy Gatlin died on November 29th after many years of fighting against multiple health problems.  She was stubborn and defied odds many times, but God determines our time on this earth and she fought her last fight this past month. She left this world surrounded by friends and family.  Kathy is preceded in death by her parents George and Ethel Eastman and brother,  Danny Eastman. She is survived by her daughter,  Lisa Francis,  granddaughter Faith Francis,  son-in-law Carl Francis, brothers Dr.  George Eastman and Mike Eastman, sisters-in-law Bettyjane and Darlene Eastman, and several nieces,  nephews,  and great-neices and nephews.

“Kit” spent her life in the service of others,  a beloved nurse for many years.  She loved reading and fantasy games.  She was known by friends and family as a gentle soul with a sharp wit that always had a tale to tell.

A memorial service is being held Friday,  December 5 at 1pm at Aria Funeral Home located at 19310 Preston Road Dallas, TX 75252. A gathering will follow at the home of Dr. and Mrs. George Eastman.

 

Arrangements are under the direction of:
ARIA Cremation Service & Funeral Home
10116 E. NW Highway
Dallas, Texas 75238
214.340.8008
 
 

    Lisa Francis
    2 Dec 2014
    11:46am

    Please share stories about mom, if you have them. I would love for this to be a celebration of her life that maybe brings a smile to people’s faces.

    Nancy Morbitzer
    2 Dec 2014
    3:53pm

    Hey Lisa-
    So sorry to hear about Kathleen! We both came to medical city together on the old 7N years ago and have kept in touch. She was my book buddy – we used to exchange bags of books. I was thinking about her today on my way to work and thinking I would get her a little light up tree for her place-soooo sorry!
    Nancy

    Joanne Bogard
    3 Dec 2014
    6:14pm

    Kathleen was a true friend throughout my life from the time we were both around eight years old. We went to different schools in Orange but every weekend usually was spent in each other’s company…..when we were younger, swimming, bike riding and sewing and to the kiddie shows at the Strand Theatre and shopping for Ben Hur at the five and dime. Her Mother was always gracious enough to chauffeur us to these events; indeed the entire Eastman family and extended family are some of the best persons one could count as friends. Kathleen visited me at UT in the mid sixties and met her husband Bob. Later the beautiful Lisa entered their lives, and the three of them moved to Dallas in the late sixties where we continued our lifelong friendship..actually we acted more like sisters…

    Our busy lives differed as we worked at careers and reared children, but we always found time to visit or call and catch up for the remainder of our 61 year long friendship. Each time we talked, it was as if none of those years had really passed, especially since Kathleen insisted she was never more than 39 her entire life. However I knew the real truth and usually let the cat out of the bag much to her disdain.

    Kathleen was always a very intelligent and helpful person to all she knew. Even though her health deteriorated in later years, she rarely complained and always seemed to accept what happiness and/or sadness that entered her life with a supernatural grace. She fought the good fight and she ran the race…and kept the faith. I loved her dearly.

    Joyce Winbush
    5 Dec 2014
    8:54am

    Kathleen was such a great woman and friend. We worked together for over twenty years with a lot of those being 3-11 shift where she taught me daily about being a great nurse. She was my preceptors when I came to work at Medical City. I remeber how she would put her hand on her hip when she would get upset or how fast she could move around those halls when her pateints needed her. I will remember her smile, her hugs and the good times we had working our 46 bed MS unit. She will always have a special plalce in my heart. Kathleen, Thank you for all you taught me…..Joyce

    Philisia
    5 Dec 2014
    9:20am

    I Worked with Kathy at Medical City Hospital for several years Kathy was a joy to work with I will always remember her with her book in her hand sitting and reading

    Lori Banyon
    5 Dec 2014
    9:27am

    So very sorry for your lost. I met her 16 years ago on 8 north. She was a very friendly and nice person. May God’s peace be with you during this time of sorrow.

    Valencia Thomas
    5 Dec 2014
    9:45am

    Lisa ,sorry about you loss Kathy was like family we work so many years together.I remember her greatest time was when her granddaughter was born she had a smile on her face that could light up the darkest night and each day she would come to work with a different picture for me to see.I will always remember Kathy reading a book eating popcorn n red hots on break.My thoughts and prayers with you and your family.Rest now Kathy I know for a fact you are in a better place .

    Bob Conway
    7 Dec 2014
    11:07am

    Kit, my departed former wife, has left us. An amazing and loving woman, I can still see her sparkling smile, and feel her warm embrace. As we traversed 17 years of marriage, putting up with a multitude of my idiosyncrasies, she gave us a brilliant and lovely daughter Lisa, one dog, several homes, splendid companionship, innumerable experiences, and a pitiful back yard garden.
    She was apparently married several times, since we separated some 28 years ago. But, I’ve heard nothing about or from her- and still have probably a hundred photos of she and her daughter. These are secretly hidden from my current wife of 29 years. Can anyone update me with Kit’s pictures, and experiences of the past three decades? If so, you can reach me at:
    Bob Conway, Austin Home Investors LLC, 512-275-6040, or ‘bcindc@earthlink.net’.

    Jeanne Kazmierski
    1 Feb 2015
    4:03pm

    Lisa and Eastman family, I am so sorry for your loss. I just realized that Kathleen has passed. I was her college roommate for 4 years at Sacred Heart. She was indeed a character and was a great friend to me through college. I pray God will help you through this difficult time.

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The Peterson Family
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"I can’t say enough about how helpful and professional Dusty Martin, the funeral director at the Aria Cremation location on NW Highway has been. From my initial call, he was kind and informative. My friend died at home while on hospice and she was picked up in about an hour after receiving the call from the hospice nurse. The person who arrived to pick her up was also very professional/respectful and allowed us to take as much time with her as we wished. When I met with Dusty the next day about arrangements, he explained the process and options available without being pushy or trying to “sell” extras. Throughout the process, he kept me informed and, for example, was careful to be certain I understood the cost of the obituary I wanted and offered some options for reducing that cost if I wished. When I stopped by for another reason and started talking about some of the problems I was having with the pictures and media I hoped to use at a memorial lunch I was planning, he not only listened patiently but offered technology advice and let me use his personal media player. I have had experience arranging cremations for four others using two other local companies, and this experience with Dusty at Aria has been by far the best one I have had."
Paula Barnes
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"My Daddy’s service and our family experience at Aria Northwest Highway was truly blessed. Funeral Director Dustin Martin is the kind of person that you would like to see on a more regular basis – but in his industry – you hope to not see him that often. That being said – THANK YOU DUSTIN for your unending kindness, compassion and friendship through the process. Meeting you and discussing Dallas History, Find A Grave and my Dad’s lifelong contributions to the great City of Dallas was simply wonderful! In memory of my dad James A. Dodd, Sr. – I want to personally thank you and let you know that you made everything better in that moment. Your calling to “Be There” is spot on. Aria has a one in a million guy in you! Bling Blinky of TEXAS Shout Out: God Bless You!!"
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