Genevieve Gilbert passed away on December 18, 2023, at Danbury Hospital after a brief illness. She was born in Derby, Connecticut, on May 21, 1925, to Austin and Genevieve (Early) Gould. She was married to her husband, John Gilbert, on November 15, 1947, in Danbury, Connecticut. She graduated from Danbury High School, held secretarial positions in several local businesses, including the Danbury Public School System, and retired from the Dolan company.
Genevieve and her husband built their house together on Knollcrest in New Fairfield, where she spent the remainder of her life. A true devotee of outdoor activities, if you were her child or grandchild, you were introduced to Candlewood Lake as an infant for future swimming instruction, taught to row a boat, paddle a canoe, hike in the local forests, and ice skate on the lake in the winter. Her grandchildren affectionately referred to her home as Camp Gilbert and spent many summer nights camping out on her porch. Warm weather found Genevieve in her beautiful flower garden, in her rowboat, or at the beach. Her yard was the neighborhood playground well past dark. Her door was always open for a cup of tea, her famous pies, and a bed to stay in as a guest as long as you like. She never forgot a birthday card written in her perfect handwriting, and all children were given one of her beautiful hand-knitted blankets at birth.
Genevieve was an active member of Saint Edwards Church in New Fairfield, Connecticut, serving in the guild and singing in the choir. She volunteered as a brownie, girl scout, and cub scout leader. She was also a member of the New Fairfield Park and Recreation Commission. A voracious reader, she could often be found at the New Fairfield Library with her binder listing every book she had read alphabetized by author.
Genevieve will be sadly missed by her children and their spouses, John Gilbert Jr. (Jody), Genevieve Harrison (Ronald), Madeline Villani (Robert), and her daughter-in-law Suzanne Gilbert. Her grandchildren, James, Russell, Rebecca, and Aaron Gilbert; Brandy Collins; John Gilbert III; Samantha Glick; Heather Davis; Kimberly Laughlin; Dennis Lambe; Robert, Derek, and Amber Villani; and her great-grandchildren, will miss her dearly. She also leaves her Gould family nieces, nephews, and several cousins behind.
Genevieve was predeceased by her parents; husband John Gilbert, to whom she was married for 67 years; son James Gilbert; her four brothers, Austin, Leon, James, and Charles; two sisters-in-law, two daughters-in-law, and two great-grandchildren.
A mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday, December 30, 2023, at 11 am at Saint Edward the Confessor Roman Catholic Church in New Fairfield, Connecticut. The burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery also in New Fairfield, Connecticut.
Her family would like to thank Page Waller, PA-C, and Ridgefield VNA health staff for their remarkable care and assistance in facilitating Genevieve's ability to remain in her own home through her final year of life. Those wishing to contribute in her honor may do so to Friends of the New Fairfield Library, RVNAhealth in Ridgefield, Connecticut, and Saint Edwards Church.
