Elizabeth Ann Gilbert

September 29, 1936 – January 13, 2018

On Saturday, January 13, 2018, Elizabeth Ann (Smith) Gilbert, passed away at the age of 81, with her family at her side. Elizabeth will be remembered by her children and grandchildren for her fun and loving personality.

Elizabeth “Liz” Ann Gilbert was born September 29, 1936 in Hanford, California. She was the fourth child to Thad and Veda (Obert) Smith. She had four siblings: T. L. “Jiggs” Smith, Marilyn (Smith) Works, Darrell Lee Smith and Alison (Smith) Collins.

Liz attended Jefferson Elementary grammar school, Woodrow Wilson Jr. High, and Hanford High School. She was a member of First Christian Church in Hanford and was baptized as a young girl in the 1940s. As a teenager Liz did a lot of babysitting and looked forward to being a mother someday. In her younger years, she worked as a counter girl in a hamburger stand and later worked for the West Coast Telephone Company as an operator. In 1963, she worked for Winchell’s Donut Shop and later owned the franchise. That was short-lived following her marriage to Lawrence “Zeke” Gilbert and them beginning a family.

Zeke and Liz were married in August 1964 at First Christian Church. They were married for 49 years and had four children, 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Following Zeke’s passing in November 2013; Liz missed him dearly and longed for the day that they would be “Together Again”.

Liz’s greatest desire was to be a mother and she thanked God each and every day for that gift. Her love for her children and grandchildren was unconditional. She considered her children and grandchildren “gifts from God” and would say, “The Lord must love me with all of his heart”.

Liz was a devoted mother and wife; she spent hours upon hours in her car, taxing kids to a sporting event, dance, or friend’s home. When the kids were growing up, a hot meal was ready and on the table at 5 pm. She spent many evenings listening to her kids talk about their day or playing a game of Scrabble or Yahtzee with them at the kitchen table. On Sunday afternoons, it was common to have a house full of teenagers, eating dinner together, and enjoying a special dessert she had made.

When her children were in school, Liz worked part-time at Abbott’s Auto Parts. Once the grandchildren were born, she and Zeke would begin their most rewarding job; babysitting the grandchildren for the next 20+ years while their parents worked. In Liz’s spare time, she enjoyed crossword puzzles, writing letters to family/friends, baking, and watching the NBA.

Liz is survived by her four children: Darin (Erin), Donald, Diana (Marty), and Doug; 11 grandchildren: Darin’s children: Mitchell, Madison, and Marshall; Donald’s children: Ayron, Zach, and Austin; Diana’s children: Stephanie and Robert; Doug’s children: Jody, Cody, and Kyle, and three great-grandchildren; sisters: Marilyn Works and Alison Collins and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence “Zeke” Gilbert, parents, Thad and Veda Smith, brothers, TL “Jiggs” Smith and Darrell Lee Smith.

The family would like to thank Sojourn Hospice for the kindness they showed these last several months. Special thanks to Leticia for the excellent care and friendship she provided to our mother.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, January 26th at 11:00 a.m. at First Christian Church, 505 W. Cameron Street, Hanford.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Easter seals; www.easterseals.com or the donor’s favorite charity.

Services by People’s Funeral Chapel 559-584-5591.