Beverly Jane Gilbert, 87, died Wednesday, May 7 at her home in Oakdale after a lengthy illness, with her family at her side.
Born in Modesto to Charles and Florence (Pflaging) Stone, her family had just moved from Modesto to Oakdale – where she resided the remainder of her life except for two years in New York and Berkeley, California.
While in high school she always worked, first as an usherette at the Oakdale Theater, then at the tomato cannery in Walnut Creek, next at the Pacific Pea Packing Company in Oakdale, and as a senior at Kersten’s Pharmacy.
She graduated from Oakdale High School in 1945 and married Bob Gilbert that same year; the same week he returned from service in the war in the Pacific. She was known in Oakdale as the “Family Gilbert.”
Mrs. Gilbert was active in Cultus Club, the Oakdale Women’s Club, the Saint Matthias Prayer Group, and she enjoyed playing bridge and belonged to several bridge clubs. In later years she went on many cruises and traveled with her husband Bob, and sometimes with other family members and friends.
Her life was always centered around family and friends. She provided wise counsel for her children and grandchildren and all of her “adopted” children, of which there were many. There was always room around the table for visitors at meal times.
The family thanks Eva Mattos, special friend and loyal companion for over 30 years; Dr. Edward Chock and his nurse Mimi Medlin; Alice Taylor, RN; and caregivers Ann King, Mercedes Nava, Naomi Nelson, and many others for the loving and tender care provided to their beloved wife, mother and grandmother.
She is survived by her husband, Bob Gilbert of Oakdale; children, Charles E. Gilbert of Chinook, Wash, Robert T. (Jan) Gilbert of Oakdale, Terry Ann Gilbert of Woodland, David S. (Kristin) Gilbert of Oakdale, Michael A. (Susan) Gilbert of Wilton; grandchildren, Christian Hartley Gilbert, Elizabeth (Erik) Gilbert-Cotton, Heather Louise (Reed, deceased) Welch, Robert Davidson Gilbert, Inga Marie Gilbert, all of Oakdale, Jonah Lawrence Gilbert, Charles Robert Gilbert, Jared Scott Gilbert, all of Three Rivers, Gilbert B. (Christy) Tucker, Emily Jane (Dan) Murphey, all of Woodland, Leslie M. Gilbert, Tanner David Gilbert, both of Wilton, Ian Ross (Laurie) Gilbert of Riverside, Diana Rachel (Chris) Costales of Santa Barbara, Shannon Beverly (Steven) Hayes of Ripon, Samantha (Chris) Cahill of Hughson, Alexander J. Ravetz of Chico, Holly K. Ravetz of Johnstown, Colo.; and great-grandchildren, Aden L. Gilbert, Kayleigh Scarlette Gilbert, Nikolai Arri Thompson-Gilbert, Jack Kaleo Costales, Charlie Hokule’a Costales, Bradley Crawford Tucker, Chloe Murphey, Cecilia Elizabeth Cotton, Gianna Billie Cotton, Wyatt S. Hayes, Robert Christian Hayes, and Ava Grace Underhill-Ravetz.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Florence Stone; sister, Betty Rydberg; and great-granddaughter, Emma Cotton.
A viewing was held May 12 at Oakdale Memorial Chapel. The funeral service was held May 13 at Saint Matthias Anglican Church, Oakdale. Burial followed at Oaklawn Cemetery, Oakdale.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to The Children’s Guardian House, 246 West F St., Oakdale, CA 95361.
