Katherine Clancy
March 3, 1944-Dec. 7, 2025
Palo Alto, California

Katie Clancy passed away peacefully on December 7th at her home in Palo Alto, where she lived for 51 years. She was 81 and will be deeply missed.

Katie was born on March 3, 1944, in Montreal, Canada. She was the youngest of three daughters of Hazel and William Gillis Sinclair. Katie attended Montreal High School and graduated with honors from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Nursing School. In 1966, Katie moved to California and cared for the first adult heart transplant patients as an ICU nurse at Stanford Hospital. It was there she met the love of her life Tom Clancy, a young neurosurgical resident. Together they moved to Washington, D.C. to work at the National Institutes of Health and were married in 1969.

Returning to Palo Alto, Katie and Tom built a full and vibrant life. Katie worked at Tom’s medical practice and they raised two daughters. The doors at the “Casa” were always open—her home a gathering place filled with laughter and love. In 1980, the family embraced adventure wholeheartedly, spending a year sailing down the coast of Mexico on a 40-foot sailboat. After Tom’s sudden passing, Katie’s strength and optimism carried her forward as she devoted herself to her daughters and the lifelong friendships she cherished. Katie enjoyed tennis, golf and skiing in Breckenridge. She traveled the world with friends and family, with a deep appreciation for connection and experience. She will be remembered for her beautiful smile, huge heart and positive spirit.

Katie is survived by her daughters, Jeannie Clancy and Heather Clancy; nephews Chris Trider and Rob Gile; nieces Jessica, JeanAnne, and Irene Donnell, and Jule Bagley (Tom Bagley); and her brother-in-law, Robert Gile. She was predeceased by her husband, Thomas Clancy, and her sisters, Mary Gile and Jean Donnell (James Donnell).