Eva-Jean Gilbert

It is with great sadness and broken hearts that the family of Eva-Jean Gilbert (McDonald) share the news of her passing on October 5, 2026 after many years of battling a rare lung disease.

Jean was born on January 3, 1952, to Robert and Lois McDonald in New West Minister, British Columbia welcomed by an older sister and brother and later joined by two younger sisters.

The MacDonald family spent time in New West Minister, North Delta, and the Cariboo. In her high school years Jean met Brian Gilbert and they married July 21, 1973. As newlyweds they started their life in Victoria before moving to Surrey where they welcomed their first daughter, Jennifer, and then, almost three years later, their second daughter, Karen. In 1981 the young Gilbert family moved to 100 Mile House and eventually settled at their beautiful home on Valhalla Road just a stones throw away from Horse Lake where they raised their girls, enjoyed their friends, and made so many amazing memories. Jean was active in her community and was well known for her participation in her girl’s sports, her dedication to the 100 Mile Curling Club, her love of sewing, and her store, Jean’s Place. Jean and Brian loved to travel and spent a lot of time in Hawaii over the years and more recently winters in Yuma in their motorhome. Earlier this year, Jean and Brian made the move to Kamloops to be closer to family as Jean’s lung disease progressed.

Jean meant so much to so many and was known for her kindness, beautiful smile, and ability to make friends no matter where she was. She was the life of the party and could throw together a meal for many at a moments notice. Her love for her grandchildren will never be forgotten. She had special relationships with each of them and was widely known as Grandma Jean to so many of their friends.

Left to miss her is her husband and best friend, Brian; her daughters, Jennifer (Richard) Thur and their children Chelsea (Ethan), Brennen (Jolene), and Joshua (Alexis); Karen (Terry) McLean and their children Riley, Gavin, and Blair (Kenzie).

She will also be deeply missed by her sisters Linda Young and Kathy Brown (Brian), brother Rob McDonald (Deborah) and brother in law David Gilbert as well as her many nieces and nephews along with their families. There are many, many friends that will miss Jean desperately.

Jean was predeceased by both of her parents, Robert and Lois McDonald; her infant sister born sleeping; her in-laws, Norman and Marjorie Gilbert; her brother in laws, Michael Gilbert, Doug Young, and Mark Gilbert; her sister in law, Wendy Code; and her niece, Laura Gelsvik; as well as many good friends.

Although her family thought they had more time left with Jean, it was sadly not meant to be and she passed peacefully surrounded by her family. There have been many tears since her passing but almost as many laughs as Jean is remembered for her full and vibrant life.

Her family would like to offer special thanks to the compassionate and dedicated health professionals that cared for Jean right until the end, especially the team at the Infectious Disease Clinic at Royal Inland Hospital and the Kamloops Community Respiratory team. Their care and compassion was immeasurable.

Nobody was ready to say goodbye to Jean but there is comfort in knowing she is likely floating on a tube in the ocean in Hawaii, watching the turtles, and soaking up the sun, and maybe even sipping on a chi chi. Jean, you will be missed. Aloha!

A Celebration of Life will be held on October 16, 2026 at 1:30p.m. at the Kamloops Curling Club with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers Jean’s family asks that you consider donations in her name to the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation