Ms. Catherine “Kay” B. Gill
Ms. Catherine “Kay” B. Gill of Salem, MA, departed this earthly life on March 19, 2018 at the age of 86 after a brief illness. Kay owned and operated the Stephen Daniels House as a bed and breakfast for over 55 years, and had a restaurant in the home where she served lunch and dinner to Salem residents for 20 years. She began her career as a commercial artist in Chicago and came to Salem with her husband, Thomas Gill where she fell in love with and purchased one of the oldest homes in Salem. Kay was an extraordinary woman who did everything in the Daniels House from decorating to making curtains by hand and laying the brick work. She traveled the world, collecting unusual antiques and invited thousands of guests into her home and enjoyed sharing stories of Stephen Daniels with them. Kay loved giving tours of her home and describing each antique. Wherever guests were from, Kay likely had an antique from there that helped make each person feel special. She supported the House of Seven Gables and also volunteered as a docent at the Peabody Essex Museum in earlier years. People loved to visit with Kay at the Stephen Daniels House, to step back in time and to make lasting memories.
Kay was predeceased by her husband, Thomas Gill and her sister, Mary McGraw. She is survived by nieces and a nephew and her special friend, Robin McDonald.
Services will be private.
Share
Let the family know you care by sharing this tribute.
My thoughts and prayers are with Robin, and Kay’s family. Kay provided years of beautiful hospitality to people travelling to Salem fro all over. Sitting with her during breakfast, and hearing her stories left an indelible impression upon me, as she was a truly unique and wonderful person. I will miss her dearly and the memories of my triips to Salem and seeing her are forever in my heart. Blessed be Kay.
I’m so sorry for your loss. It was a pleasure meeting Miss Kay when we stayed at the Stephen Daniel’s house.
Enjoyed staying at the Stephen Daniels house. I am sure Kay will be sorely missed by many people. Condolences to her family and to Robin who did such a wonderful job assisting Kay with the running of her very special home.
My Parents, Jack and Joyce Keane, were dear art school friends of Kay’s. We loved staying at the Inn when my brother Dan and I were kids. Even as a little girl I was so enamoured by Kay’s joi de vivre!
She was a unique treasure and will now be a treasured soul.
Kay my darling friend, you will be missed by so many people! It was an honor and a privilege to know you! My heart has not stopped aching. I will miss all your stories. I’m so grateful to have been a part of your life, you were an extraordinary human being! I love you and will miss you, until we meet again may you decorate heaven…. (the help)
Love always,
Your friend
WendyLee Morais
Dear Kay, farewell from your hometown of Joliet and where you worked in Chicago. Your home was a dream come true. You did so well. Godspeed.
I have such wonderfully fond memories of meeting Kay (and Robin) from the time my sister and I visited Daniel’s House in July 2015.
I will always remember Kay’s candour and her joie de vivre.
After all these years, I still remember how we introduced ourselves to her as sisters and she replied, very astutely. “I don’t see it!”” Ha ha ha! We look nothing alike as we share a father but different mothers.
We spent at least one evening downstairs with Kay, in her kitchen, as she was recovering from a leg injury at the time. I remember eating way more cakes than I wanted to because I felt that if I wasn’t eating, then I wouldn’t get to hear any more of her stories. And her stories were amazing.
Blessed be.
J
Kay. Thank you for opening up your home. I was hoping to get back to Salem with my now husband too stay with you in your beautiful home soon. You will definitely be missed sitting by the fire at breakfast, listening to your wonderful stories. Rest easy and my God Bless you. You truly are a wonderful person. Thoughts and prayers go out to your family.
You will be missed, Kay. You always made me and Marcel feel so welcomed when we came to visit with you. Rest in peace. xo
We stayed with you while choosing to work and live in Salem I’ll never forget the stay rest in peace
My dearest Kay, I miss you so much, you were a remarkable woman and I will never forget you!! You shared your wisdom, kindness and generosity with me and I will cherish that always. You entrusted me with your home and I’m forever grateful because I met the greatest people, and had the best of times. I will always remember what you taught me, “Details, Details, Details”! I love you Kay, your forever in my heart. Your Bugie,
Catherine was a dear and special friend. I knew her since we were three years old. I just found out about her passing. I will miss her very much and always hold her close to my heart. My sincere condolences to her family.
Thanks for many years of wonderful memories of Kay and her beloved Stephen Daniels house. What a treasure! Rest In Peace dear Kay.
We had the pleasure of staying at Kay’s house years ago and she was an extraordinary woman and host. She will be deeply missed.
I loved you so Kay. You were my one of a kind person whom I adored. The Daniels house will not be the same without you.
My dear sweet friend through the years I will hold you deep within my heart and all of my precious memories of time spent with you,
Love Philly Carol & John
All of the years I have known and shred memories with Kay, I will miss her so much. I love you and will miss you so much. You are one of kind special person to us. There will be such an emptiness inside our hearts without you.
There is no one like you.
Love You Always❤️
Philly Carol & John
Kay has always been the most marvelous and magical person! Over the years I have brought my entire family at one time or another to meet Kay and see ‘her’ most special home! She will be missed so very much. She leaves behind lovely memories for so many, many people. Being ‘missed’ doesn’t even come close. I feel like I’ve lost a dear and close family member.
My heart is broken. Thank you Kay for the wonderful memories you’ve allowed me to have forever. I will never forget your kindness or hospitality. May you rest in peace.
Dearest Catherine .
I am so sorry to hear that you no longer are with us here on earth and that we cannot see you again.You were a big part of my life for many years. Having grown up a few streets away and at the age of 15, my sister and I were hired to waitress for you. I remember those first lunches and while waiting for customers, we played cards and talked to Nonie. Then you became famous and our days and evenings were very busy. I have so many memories of you cooking those wonderful full course dinners! The house was lit like a Christmas tree every night while the hearth had a roaring fire! At the end of each Soiree guests were clamouring to meet “Mrs Gill”. You proudly took of your apron, socialized, and received graciously all the accolades.
You were an extraordinary chef and person.
You were instrumental in my life in many ways. You will never be forgotten always to be remembered. You were a special individual.
May you rest in peace.
June Pasquier (Basile)
Miami, FL
Dearest Catherine .
I am so sorry to hear that you no longer are with us here on earth and that we cannot see you again.You were a big part of my life for many years. Having grown up a few streets away and at the age of 15, my sister and I were hired to waitress for you. I remember those first lunches and while waiting for customers, we played cards and talked to Nonie. Then you became famous and our days and evenings were very busy. I have so many memories of you cooking those wonderful full course dinners! The house was lit like a Christmas tree every night while the hearth had a roaring fire! At the end of each Soiree guests were clamouring to meet “Mrs Gill”. You proudly took of your apron, socialized, and received graciously all the accolades.
You were an extraordinary chef and person.
You were instrumental in my life in many ways. You will never be forgotten always to be remembered. You were a special individual.
May you rest in peace.
I am deeply saddened to hear of Kay’s passing. One of my best friends and I had the most enchanting experience in 2013 meeting her and staying in her beautiful historic home and hearing her stories of her life experiences and travels. I remember she showed us a stunning photo of herself when she was younger and she looked just like Betty Grable. We have often spoken fondly of that visit with hopes of returning one day, and this last year I have felt a particular urgency to come back to see her and stay once more at the Stephen Daniels House. And my friend just found this obituary right as we were discussing returning to see her again. Our hearts are broken that we will not be able to sit by her hearth and enjoy her company again. Some people are simply magical beings and are touched with a divine spark, and Kay was one of those people. I don’t think Salem is going to be quite the same without her warm and illuminating presence.
I am so sorry to hear that Kay passed away. I just found out.
I waitressed for her private parties and really enjoyed it! She was an excellent cook, the tables were just so and she was one of the most entertaining people I have ever met.
I have known Kay all my life. My Mother and Kay were roommates in art school in Chicago and were dear friends. She was so engaging and really spoke her mind! Had wonderful time travel stays at the Daniels House. She will be missed!
Our mother went to the American Academy of Art in Chicago with Kay Gill and they became roommates and life long friends. We used to visit her once in awhile at her wonderful Inn. She was such a character! Just loved her! I’m so glad my young children got to meet her. She was loved by so many and will be dearly missed.
I had a lovely tea in the garden with Kay when we stayed at her home . This simple moment in time will always be remembered. I am so glad we later travelled out of our way to stay again with our children, The experience with Kay was special in every way.
My condolences
We have just learned of Kay’s passing with sadness and dismay.
Kay was a character and spoke her mind with a witty frankness that was unparalleled.
We have cited her wry observations many times through the years, laughingly. We shall continue to do so, but our memories will be forever tinged with nostalgia and fond memories of good times shared.
Our lives have been made that much richer as a result of having had the good fortune to happen upon The Daniels House and its garrulous proprietor, Kay Gill.
Thanks for the memories,Kay. Your feisty spirit will be with us always.