Shirley G. Gilbert

On March 27, 1930, a chilly spring Vermont day, Shirley Elizabeth Geer was born in Westminster Vermont to happy parents Charles Wesson Geer and Agnes Wright Geer. Shirley was the third of four children and always loved her two brothers Charles and George Geer and sister Dorothy Rose (Geer) Larsek.

As some years passed, the family moved to Moodus, Connecticut near the Leesville Dam. Shirley loved the Connecticut weather and also learned how to play many difficult instruments. Being self-taught on the guitar, organ, accordion, harmonica and mandolin. Her hobbies also included baking and was famous for her brownies which she always brought to any function.

She attended Nathan Hale Ray School in Moodus where she got a job in her late teens working for Southern New England Telephone (SNET) as a switchboard operator. In 1954 her girlfriend introduced her to Arthur James Gilbert on New Years Eve and it was love at first sight! Art asked her for her hand in marriage on Valentines Day! As he had served in three branches of the military during WW-II she was blessed to have him fall in love with her! They were married in 1955 and after 16 years they decided to go their separate ways and move on with their lives.

As fate would have it, a member of the family had stayed in touch with Art over the years. One day he said to the family member, when you talk to Shirley, please tell her I still love her. They told Shirley and she said to return the love she still has for him. The love story was they got back together and remarried in 1984 and resided in Westchester, Connecticut. Sadly, after eight years Art passed away and Shirley was left without him but knew he was with the Lord.

Shirley leaves behind her nieces and nephews who were always there to support and help her in her last years. Leaving behind are Mitch Geer and his wife Sharon, Susan Nye and her husband Bill, Christine Fusco, Mary Lou Staba, Theresa Heyman, Richard Geer, Linda Simmons and her husband Lou, and grand nephews and nieces.

She will be dearly missed, but is with her true love, Arthur, and the Lord she loves so much.

Calling hours/visitation will be held for Shirley on Monday, March 31, 2025 from 5 - 7PM at the Church & Allen Funeral Home 136 Sachem St., Norwich, CT. Burial will be private.