Mary Patricia Gilbert

Mary Patricia (Pat) Gilbert, formerly of Tampa, died in Gainesville on May 20, 2016 at the age of 95. Pat was born in Ft. Smith, Arkansas to the late Arthur and Maggie O’Keefe, the youngest of six children. She graduated from St. Anne’s Academy in Ft. Smith. She was a Catholic.

Pat is survived by three daughters: Susie Gilbert, Betty Gilbert and Mary Anne Hilker (Larry) all of Gainesville; two granddaughters, Jennifer Martinson (Clay Wells) of Philadelphia, PA and Ariel Hilker of Gainesville; and one great grandson, Milo Wells. She was predeceased by her husband, Charles Evans Gilbert, and her five siblings.

Pat lived in her South Tampa home for over sixty years where she created a beautiful garden and many happy memories for her family and friends. She loved family gatherings and was a faithful letter-writer until a few weeks before her death. She was fiercely devoted to ensuring that her daughter Susie, who was born with Down Syndrome, had a full and happy life. Pat was an active volunteer in the Parents Group at the MacDonald Training Center in Tampa where Susie attended the sheltered workshop for forty years.

Arrangements are by Forest Lawn Funeral Home in Ocala, Florida. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Please visit her online guestbook at www.forestlawnocala.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Haven Hospice, 4200 NW 90th Blvd., Gainesville, FL, 32606-3809.