Kitty Colleen McGill was born April 12, 1953 (Flint) and died January 28, 2026 (Fortuna) She was the third child born to John and Ruby (Christensen).

The family hit the road and made the move to California when Kitty was just five and that is where she planted her roots. She stayed primarily in Southern California for the first half of her life. That’s where she grew up, got married and had her two children.

The early 1980s brought a new blended family and a move to the North Coast. Kitty was a resident of the Bridgeville area for over 20 years. She spent the later years of her life here in the Eel River Valley to stay close to her family. She loved living here among the redwoods and never failed to remind us that we lived in the most beautiful place in the world.

Kitty was known for her artistic talent, quick wit and her smart mouth. She was crafty and skilled in a number of mediums. She made beautiful and fun costumes for herself and her kids. Pinafores, quilts, needlepoint and whimsical (and slightly phallic) floral watercolors. If Kitty loved you, she made you something with her whole heart.

Kitty was involved in the local art community here in Humboldt in the 1980s and 1990s. She volunteered and participated in the Kinetic Sculture Race for many years. She was on the Quagmire Queen when capsized it in the bay. She once ran for Rutabaga Queen.

Kitty liked to look for pretty rocks in the river, loved a bonfire under the stars, and was always the first person to start a sing a long. What she lacked in actual singing talent she more than made up for with enthusiasm. And she always knew all the words.

She made everything she touched more beautiful. She could not help herself.

Above all, she was a mother and grandmother.

The absolute light of her life was her only grandchild, Jesse. She was there when he came into the world, and held him even before his mom did. He has her quick wit and her silly sense of humor. She picked him up from kindergarten almost every day and they would hang out until his dad got off work. She was his very best friend, before she got sick.

Kitty was diagnosed with late stage small cell lung cancer in 2015. The prognosis was not great, and it was expected that we would lose her in those first five years. She defied all of the odds and we got 11 more years with her.

Her daughter, Leslie was by her side for every single appointment, infusion and scan taking notes and advocating for her. She kept Kitty at her home for as long as she was able. Eventually, care had to be handed over to professionals, settling her at Fortuna Rehab and Wellness.

Kitty was proceeded in death by her parents, her brothers Michael and John, her niece, Michelle, her nephew Michael Martin and every man she ever loved.

She is survived by her dedicated daughter, Leslie Mendes, her husband (and favorite child) Timothy, and of course, her sweet grandson, Jesse. She also leaves behind her nieces and nephews: Michael Joseph (Jennifer), Ronald Joseph (Dana), and Tom (Christine). She had a special thing with Michelle’s daughter, Kyli. Also, her son Louis and her sister Patty.

A special thank you from the family to Doctor Russell Hardy, for giving us so many more years with her than were predicted. To Leah Tompkins, who was always right where we needed her to be. We never would have gotten through the last eleven years without you. Thank you to Hospice of Humboldt, especially Christina. You made it all so much easier and took such excellent care of her. And to Ron McQueen, for being such a wonderful friend to her, and his wife Donna, for letting him be there for her.

Cremation is being prepared by Ayers Cremation Services. No memorial will be held per Kitty’s request. She hated funerals. Instead, remember her when you see the first spring irises pop up out of the ground. Think about her when the Talking Heads come on the radio.

As for those people who feel like they were left out of the loop, and denied their chance to say goodbye, you should have visited when you had the chance.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Kitty McGill’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.