Pym Gilbert

May 11, 1919

August 13, 2023

Our beautiful mama was called home to God on Sunday, August 13, 2023. Pym passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her children and listening to her favorite hymns. Our mama lived a long, wonderful blessed life for 104 years. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and best friend.

Pym was born in Nancy, France, on May 11, 1919 to Philippe & Justine (Hanry) Poggi.

As a young girl, Pym lived through the impact the Spanish flu, World War I and the Great Depression had on France. Mama’s parents saw to it that their children would have as normal life as possible even through the hardships. The family would spend time during the summers at the beach in Dinard on the Brittany coast. The Poggi family was very fond of Dinard and called it their home away from home.

When Pym was 21, Germany invaded the northern part of France, June 1940. For four and half years during World War II, mama and her family lived in fear and hardship. In the Battle of Nancy, General Patton’s Third Army Division along with their allies pushed the Germans from northeastern France in September 1944. During the Battle of Nancy, the 64th Fighter Wing provided aerial support for the Third Army division. A young American fighter pilot, Captain John H. Gilbert, Jr., “Gil” flew Spitfires and provided aerial support for Nancy and the surrounding area to defeat the Germans and push them back over the border.

On January 21, 1945, Pym met Captain Gilbert at a dance put on for the allied soldiers. It was love at first sight. They would take long walks in the park and have dinners at Pym’s family home.

On May 8, 1945, Germany surrendered and on June 4, 1945, through an enormous amount of obstacles, Pym and Gil were married in Nancy and their new life, without war, began.

Pym’s determination and strength carried her through all the hardships she experienced in her childhood and young adulthood. She was always so appreciative of everything that she received. Her dear cousin Claude, called her the Iron Horse who pulled everyone along behind her.

Pym and Gil lived the life of an Air Force family, seven tours of duty; from Virginia to California (where Chris the oldest daughter was born) to Japan (where their son, Jeff and youngest daughter, Patti were born). Their tour of duty then took them back to California, then Montana, Massachusetts and their final tour of duty, Fountainbleu, France.

During these change of duty, Pym took on the responsibility of the moves for the family. Making sure her family and its possessions were cared for during each move. Each time, providing a beautiful home decorated by her, filled with love and comfort. She always looked at the positive of each move and took a lot of joy in making a house a home.

Pym and Gil loved to travel. When the family was stationed in France, they made sure that their children saw most of the Western European countries. Memories that would last forever.

In June 1967, our dad retired from the Air Force and Pym and Gil moved their family to Pebble Beach. Pym raised her children with a deep faith in God and to believe in the power of prayer. To see the beauty around us, appreciate nature, and to be strong. She was always there for her children when they needed her. She was her children's biggest cheerleader. She always put herself last. One of the last things she said before she passed was “Oh my children, you are my life”.

When all her children left for college, she decided to volunteer at the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula (Volunteer Auxiliary). For 37 years she volunteered at the Reception Desk because she wanted to be there to provide assistance to those that needed her. You could always find Pym at the reception desk greeting everyone with her beautiful smile and kind words. During her 37 years as a volunteer, she held the positions of In-Service Chairman, Chairman of the Reception Desk, Reception Desk Supervisor, Program Director, Nominating Director, and Vice President of Community Outreach. For 5 years, she was in charge of organizing and decorating the Christmas Trees at the hospital. She wanted the patients and visitors at the hospital to enjoy the beauty of the trees and to feel the special season of the Holidays.

Also, after her children left the nest, Pym and Gil would travel back to France each year to visit with family. In the last years of her life she traveled with her daughter, Patti to France, Hawaii, numerous times to Napa Valley and to Laguna Beach to enjoy the beach and sunshine.

Pym and Gil hosted marvelous cocktail parties and dinners, Pym cooking delicious French dishes for family and friends. Pym always enjoying her champagne cocktail. She was a talented gardener and would spend hours in her beautiful garden. She felt at peace in her garden surrounded by her flowers, plants, and her birds and squirrels.

Pym was pure class and elegance. Always dressed beautifully, her gorgeous hair always styled, with her trade mark turquoise eyeshadow. Even on her last day on earth she was wearing her turquoise eyeshadow.

Even with all the hardships she experienced in her childhood and young adulthood, Pym’s deep faith in God gave her the strength and determination to live a life filled with love and gratitude. She lived her faith being kind, giving and thoughtful to each person she met.

Pym appreciated everyone and everything in life. Who always saw the positive side of life. When we complained about the fog, she would say “it’s good for your skin”. She saw the beauty in the simple things of life.

Every Sunday, (until the COVID pandemic) you would find Pym at the Carmel Mission Basilica, seated in the second row on the right with her family. Pym felt a deep connection to the Basilica, she loved the beautiful music and the sacred place the Mission created for her.

Pym is preceded in death by the love of her life, Gil, her sisters and brother, her dear cousin Claude and numerous family members in France.

Pym leaves behind her adored children Patti, Chris Thorns (Gary), Jeff (Terri), her grandson, Chris (Olivia) and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews in France.

Mama we promise to stay strong, find the special moments in each day, and honor your legacy of love and kindness in every way possible. We were so blessed to have you in our lives and we will miss you every day and know that you are watching over us. We are comforted in knowing that you are rejoicing with God and being reunited with the love of your life, Gil and your family in heaven.

A Funeral Mass for Pym will be held at the Carmel Mission Basilica on Wednesday, September 13th at 10:00am. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Carmel Mission Basilica, 3080 Rio Road, Carmel, Ca. 93923