Kathleen "Joy" Gilson

Kathleen ‘Joy’ Gilson passed away at home on Saturday, August 1, 2026. She was born in 1955 and lived her entire life at the family home in Perry. She graduated from Perry High School in 1973 and later earned an Associates Degree from Lakeland Community College, commuting to school in a 1966 Volkswagen convertible. For many years she worked as bookkeeper for Gilson Gardens, the family nursery business in Perry. She was also employed in the offices of Towmotor and Bicron.

Joy remained very close with her mother and they enjoyed cooking together especially for the holidays, traveling to England and shopping at Ikea.
She loved horses and cats and family. A quiet peaceful person with a hearty laugh, she was always there for family members in times of need. Joy is survived by her three brothers, David, Brian and Mark (Kristine) as well as many nieces and nephews. Both parents are deceased.

Family and friends will be received from 10 to 11 am on Saturday, August 29th 2026 at Behm Family Funeral Home, 26 River Street in Madison. A Celebration of Joy’s life will take place at 11 am at the funeral home. Burial will immediately follow at Perry Cemetery. The family appreciates flowers as well as donations to Lake Humane Society and to ovarian cancer research through the American Cancer Society. Online obituary and guestbook at www.behmfuneral.com.