Paula A Gilbert

Paula Arlene (Decker) Gilbert, 76, passed away in her home on January 28th, 2015, in Centralia, WA after a short illness. Born in Butte, Montana on December 1st, 1938, Paula grew up in Seattle, WA and was a 1956 graduate of West Seattle High School. She spent her early and middle adulthood traveling the country and lived in many different states including Hawaii, Georgia, Alabama, Kansas, and California before settling back in the Seattle area with her husband of 36 years, Phillip Gilbert, in 1990. When asked what was her favorite place was, she would respond that she just couldn’t decide because she loved them all. Wherever she hung her hat she made a home and her home and her family were her passions. She liked nothing better than making a good dinner and sharing it with those she loved. Even as she failed, she was still trying to push a sandwich on someone or was worried that everyone was happy and well fed.

After many years tending to her family as a stay at home mom, she reentered the workforce in the insurance industry. She excelled. Her warmth and her exceptional people skills built many long lasting friendships with both clients and co-workers.

In retirement she traveled the country once again in her RV with Phil and her beloved dog Maggie. The goal was to spend time in every state and she enjoyed sharing her travel tales and pictures of the many places they visited together.

Paula was an avid reader who could devour a book in a couple of days. Curled up on the couch she was lost to it and had an intellectual curiosity that only books could satisfy. It didn’t matter what she read as long as she was reading and read she did. She loved to knit, particularly dish cloths, that she would lovingly give to anyone who would accept them. Paula was a beautiful woman with a sense of fashion and a love for all things girly. She had a true sense of style and had an impressive collection of her favorite fashion accessories; shoes. Lots and lots of shoes.

Paula will be remembered as a bright and loving wife, mother and grandmother with a sharp wit and a keen sense of humor. She could make you laugh even under the direst circumstances and she was always open to talk about anything, her telephone a frequent companion.

She is survived by her husband, Phil Gilbert, her three children; Julie Altwies, David Thornquist, Monika Coyne, three step-children, Jennifer Gilbert, Craig Gilbert, and Randy Gilbert, twelve grandchildren, two great grandchildren, two brothers Arthur Decker, Richard Decker. and sister-in-law Micki Decker. Her parents and brother Carl Decker, predeceased Paula.

We miss you beyond words and promise to keep you close in our hearts forever.

A memorial service will be held at 1pm on Thursday, February 5, 2015 at Sticklin Funeral Chapel with a reception to follow in the hospitality room.