Prince William County Woman Reported Victim of Navy Yard Shootings

By Todd Richissin, editor

Kathleen Gaarde, a financial analyst who lived in the Lake Ridge area of Prince William County, was among the 12 victims of the gunman who went on a shooting rampage Monday at Washington Navy Yard, according to news reports.

Patrick Bolton, a neighbor, told The Washington Post that Kathleen Gaarde was an avid Washington Capitals fan who raised two children and a dog in a modest home. 

“She just helped make it a good home for her family and worked hard and provided everything her family could need,” Bolton told the Post. “They’re the kind of people you want to live next door to you.

“The mother was just the kindest lady in the world,” Bolton said. “I’m not even exaggerating. I’ve never seen her do anything but nice things for people.”

In an e-mail to The Associated Press, Gaarde’s husband, Douglass, wrote: “Today my life partner of 42 years (38 of them married) was taken from me, my grown son and daughter, and friends. We were just starting to plan our retirement activities and now none of that matters. It hasn’t fully sunk in yet but I know I already dearly miss her.”

A relative told The Associated Press that Douglass Gaarde worked for the Navy until his retirement last year.