Gillian Gratton

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Gillian Marie Gratton
November 26, 1985 to April 11, 2025

With great sadness we announce the sudden and tragic death of Gillian Marie Gratton on April 11, 2025 at age 39 years.

Gillian was born on November 26, 1985 in Calgary Alberta. She was the 2nd child for Ron and Simone Gratton; a little sister for Curtis. She attended Calgary Catholic Schools and graduated from Bishop Carroll High School in 2003. She continued with post-secondary studies first at Mount Royal University and then at the University of Calgary. She transferred to the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon and moved accompanied by her first Portuguese Water Dog “Gambit” in 2007. She completed her BSc in 2009 and her Masters of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences in 2012. Upon graduation she joined the staff at the University as a Lab Technician in Animal Studies and spent the next ten years assisting graduate students with projects and coordinating the lab.

Kevin Freistadt came into her life in 2011 and they quickly became a couple. They married in April 2015. She loved her rural life with Kevin and established a koi pond amid her perennial and vegetable gardens She walked with her dogs on their 80 acres in every season. Gillian and Kevin’s home in the country was her sanctuary.

She quickly established a presence in the Saskatoon dog community. She participated in CKC Conformation and expanded the breeding program for Armada Portuguese Water Dogs. As owner-handler with Gambit and Rogue (Gambit’s granddaughter) and as co-breeder of Marrow (Rogue’s daughter). She participated passionately in various dog sports and actively advocated with New Hope Rescue for the welfare of all dogs.

As a child and young adult Gillian participated in the Hunter Jumper community with her steed “Cutie” and in 2017 she purchased Chevy to renew this passion in her life. Now Kevin had to share her with both the horse and dog community.

After COVID Gillian acted on her life-long dream to open her own pet supply store. She had worked at Pet Planet from the age of 18 years, continuing part time even as she held her position at the University. The opening of Pet Planet Primrose Saskatoon in 2021 was the actualization of this dream. She nurtured her clients, both four and two footed. Along with walking her dogs in the aspen forest on their property and spending time with Kevin, Pet Planet Primrose was her happy place.

Gillian is survived by her husband, Kevin Freistadt; parents, Ron and Simone Gratton; brother, Curtis Gratton (wife Kristin, children Sophia, William and Jack); grandfather, Edward Gratton; Father-in-law, Clayton Freistadt; Brother-in-law, Bob Freistadt (son Dirk); and Saskatoon family, Wendi Stoeber and Edmond Lemire. And many other aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

There will be a Celebration of her life at 2:00 PM, Thursday, April 17, 2025 at Saskatoon Funeral Home.

If you wish, donations may be made in honour of Gillian to New Hope Dog Rescue www.newhoperescue.org, www.stars.ca or www.madd.ca