Ladonna P. Gilbert

She grew up in the San Diego area in her adolescent years and during her younger adult years. During her teen years, she worked in the packinghouses in the Woodlake area with her wonderful grandmother Artie. You should have heard the stories she would tell about working in the "tomatoes" with her grandmother.

She went to school, became a manicurist, and then put an extra 900 hours of education in to her esthetics degree as a young adult.

In 1988, she opened her first beauty shop in Carson City, NV. The very first person to introduce "airbrush" to this business in this tiny town (15,000 pop.) With hard work, long hours and being the best in town, it was not long before her name was a household word in the beauty business.

Being active in the "Soroptimist International," allowed her to organize fundraisers to help the "Advocates to End Domestic Violence." This made huge differences in women who had nowhere to go. Giving women a safe new start in life.

Loving everyone no matter what culture or financial status. First to offer herself to help anyone or any animal in need. She loved animals and they loved her back. Stray animals would just show up at her door. They came to the right place. All were welcome at her house with open arms and kindness.

To Be Sure, she was very spiritual and knows Jesus Christ as her Savior. Her favorite scripture is

1 Corinthians 13:13

"And now these three remain:

faith, hope and love,

But the greatest of these is love."

As an artist, she loved the beauty in rocks-stones-gems. The natural beauty of what was created was amazing to her. When looking at an item she saw how it could be embellished and what it could be. Always looking for a better ending than the beginning. Like most of her adolescent and adult life.

Not having biological children did not stop her from having her share of kids in her life. Not only her son and grandchildren but her nephews Caden, Cody and niece Cassidy. She did not love one more than the other because as she said, "There is enough love for everyone." She loved them all in her special way and left no one out. She did have a special spot for her Goddaughter, Lexie. Not enough words for that girl. Her love to all was truly unconditional.

She loved to fish and camp but also had the elegance to rub elbows with the Gov. of Nevada when necessary.

Starting from nothing, she built a remarkable reputation and business in Carson City. Touching so many people's hearts with helping people with make-up and clothing during their chemo treatments. Helping with their self-esteem with the stylish scarves and girl stuff during their time of need. After selling her shop, she became a caregiver and helped people spiritually during their passing.

She never talked bad about anyone. She believed the saying "If you don't have anything good to say- say nothing at all."

Ladonna loved this earth and everything in it. When sending a birthday card she would send an Arbor Day Foundation note saying that there was a tree was planted in their name. Would you please do this for my honey and have a tree planted in our forest with her name on it? She would LOVE that!!

From Poet T.S. Eliot:

"We shall not cease from exploration. And the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time."

I end with this:

This world was a better place with her in it. She will be missed always. Oh...and guess which holiday she love the most?? You guessed it... "CHRISTMAS"