Kathleen Ann Gastineau

March 15, 1944 - December 28, 2023

Obituary For Kathleen Ann Gastineau

In the early morning hours on December 28, 2023, Kathleen Ann Gastineau, age 79 of Raleigh, NC, entered into eternal life after 7 months in hospice care. Her son, Matthew, was with her only moments after her passing. While her family and friends mourn her loss, we are joyous that she is with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for Eternity.

Kathy is preceded in death by her husband, John Gastineau, and parents, Stanley and Bernadette Olejniczak. She is survived by her daughter Stephanie and son Matt; granddaughters Dreya, Jordan (Tom) and Shelby; great granddaughter Emerie; great grandson Oliver; and many friends.

Born and raised in South Bend, IN on March 15, 1944, Kathy lived in Indianapolis, IN before ultimately moving to Cary, NC in 1993. In 1994, she met her loving husband, John, and they were married in 1995. Divine intervention as Kathy called it! After a career in mortgage banking, Kathy worked alongside her husband for many years as an insurance agent. In May of 2022, she retired from Relation Insurance Services.

A love of the beach and salt air allowed for Kathy, John, Amy the corgi and Katie the cat to have beautiful vacations and long weekends away near the rolling waves and sandy shores. A self-proclaimed ‘dancing queen’, Kathy and John danced the night away more times than could be counted. Kathy’s greatest love, however, was horses. She lived and breathed for time in the saddle with BB and Hercules, riding with friends and family whenever she could. Raising money for the American Heart Association through the annual fundraiser at Myrtle Beach combined her love of the salt life, horses, and helping others.

A loving wife, mother, and friend, Kathy found so much delight in meeting people (and even matchmaking too!). Never one to meet a stranger, she quickly made friends anywhere and everywhere, whether it be on an airplane or at the gas station. Kathy often brought her dog and her horses to the Abbotswood at Stonehenge retirement community to lift the spirits of the residents. Connecting with others brought her so much joy and enriched her life in countless ways.

A celebration of life will be held on Monday, January 15 at 2:30pm at Grace Raleigh Church, 7041 Wake Forest Road #107, Raleigh, NC 27616.

Memorials may be made to Five Hearts Therapeutic Horsemanship at www.fiveheartsth.org in Kathy’s name.

Services

15 Jan

Memorial Service

02:30 PM

Grace Raleigh Church 7041 Old Wake Forest Rd #107 Raleigh, North Carolina 27616 Get Directions »

by Obituary Assistant

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Condolences

December 14, 2024

Stephanie Davies

Miss you so much, Mom.
January 15, 2024

Vickie Christofaro

Kathy was a beautiful lady inside and out. Full of energy, always a smile and very rarely left the dance floor while attending dance events at the Shrine Club. I will miss our visits Kathy, but I know that you are again with John and back of the dance floor. Think of you everyday and the know that you are at peace.
January 14, 2024

Debra Ball

Kathy was my second mother, very good friend, and colleague for 21 years. May God Hold And Keep You In His Embrace. I am going to miss you dearly. Love Debra Ball
January 14, 2024

Debra Ball
January 11, 2024

Amma Boadi

May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace " you will be missed "in the heart of those who loved you "you will always be there,"as you were you will always a treasure forever in our memory !!!Amma&Nancy&Santo
January 09, 2024

Brooke Boyer

I have wonderful memories of Kathy... Kathy was the first person to knock on our door and welcome our family to the neighborhood. She brought a list of nearby churches of all denominations without suggesting hers. I was able to experience her great love of horses and her riding community when we went on a couple of rides together. Kathy was a cow-girl at heart, dressing in her boots and hat as often as possible. She was also a loyal Wildwood Green Women's Club member. In those days the WwGW'sClub met once a month and she would attend as often as her job and her horses permitted. For more than a decade she was the WwGW'sClub Block Captain on our street to better serve communications in our neighborhood. And one last thing.... I was always impressed by the passion with which she spoke of her family. She always said how blessed she was to have John, how grateful she was for her wonderful children and their children. I'm going to miss her straight forward energy, her passionate truth(s) and her kindness. Brooke and John Boyer
January 08, 2024

Wendy Clark

May Auntie rest in peace with John. She was loved by many and many loved her. Aunt Kathy was a rock of support to her family. She will be missed. My condolences and prayers to Stephanie and Matt.
January 07, 2024

Jackie Wheeler

Sweet Kathy! What fun memories I have of Kathy. We rode horses together, danced together, prayed together and had many good meals together. She was always a supporter and advisor to me and she taught me a lot about life. Now she's free of her physical body, pain and affliction and ready to ride and dance again with her love, John. Sending prayers out to Stephanie and Matt and all the grandkids,
January 07, 2024

Jackie Wheeler
January 06, 2024

Lisa Thorsey

My best friend for the 12 years I lived in Raleigh. I loved her and John very much. They welcomed me into their family and became like family to me. So many wonderful memories she was a one in a million lady and it was a privilege to have known her. We shared many laughs, horseback adventures, holiday meals, movie nights and of course Scrabble. Prayers for Stephanie and Matt.