Catherine Gilliam passed away peacefully August 26, 2005 at Whidbey Island Manor, Oak Harbor.

She was born Ekaterina Pereleschina on Nov. 14, 1918 in Blagoveschensk, Russia. The last of 10 children, she fled Siberia with her mother and three sisters to Harbin, China in 1920. She was raised and educated in Shanghai, China and later married an American naval officer. She left Shanghai with their daughter and came to the United States in January 1939. She lived many years in San Diego and later moved to Edmonds, Wash., where she married Earl H. Gilliam, a Boeing employee. She worked all her life in retail and was the owner of Small World of Dolls, two stores in Lynnwood and Everett, for 20 years until her retirement.

She was preceded in death by three sisters, her beloved husband in July 2001, and a beloved granddaughter in February 2005. She is survived by a daughter, Kitty McCann (Dennis) of Oak Harbor; a son, Edward McColgan (Sharon) of San Diego; and a daughter, Eugenia Widmann (James) of Iowa. Four step-daughters, Phyllis Byrnes (Tom) of California, Diane Guillaume of Arizona, Susan Pollan of Oregon and Judith Glover of Missouri; and two nieces. She leaves a legacy of 20 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, and three great, great grandchildren.

Private interment was held Sept. 1 at Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent. A memorial service celebrating Cathy’s life will be held Sunday, Sept. 18 at 1 p.m. at Edmonds Presbyterian Church, 22600 96th Avenue West, Edmonds. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to the American Heart Association or Edmonds Presbyterian Church.

All her life Cathy was hard-working, passionate in her beliefs, kind, caring and generous to all her family, friends, neighbors, church and charities. She lived a full, energetic, adventurous life and is beloved by all and will be greatly missed.