Dora was born to Harold and Kathaleen Ritko in Spickard, Mo. on April 18, 1935. She graduated from Phineas Banning High School in 1952, and Chapman College in Orange, Calif. in 1956. She met music teacher and choir director John Elmer Gilbert at Osceola, a Young Women’s Christian Association camp in the San Bernardino mountains. They were married in Temple City, Calif. in 1960. After several years as homemaker, PTA and church leader during the 1970s, Dora also joined John in education, teaching math for many years at Perris Valley Middle School.
Dora and John were longtime members and leaders in the California Teachers Association, the Ramona Bowl, the Ramona Bowl Music Association, the Ramona Players, the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival, Hemet Methodist Church and the San Jacinto United Methodist Church, among other organizations.
Among her accomplishments, Dora won a record 24 ribbons for baked goods at the Farmer’s Fair in 1977 and in later years was an enthusiastic host and chef at Valley Restart Shelter. She is remembered fondly for her love of puzzles, photography and radio theater; her pointed criticism and infectious laughter; her grit, determination and creativity, and her delicious homemade soup.
Dora was predeceased by John, brothers Joseph and John, parents Kathaleen and Harold Ritko. She is survived by daughters Kathryn and Andrea Gilbert.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Aug. 31 at San Jacinto United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to this, their home church, which sustained and nurtured John and Dora throughout their adult lives.
