Helen Law Gilbert

Helen Law Gilbert, lovingly known as “Punkie” to her family and friends, passed away peacefully on October 5, 2026, in Hanford, California at the home of her daughter Kimberlee, surrounded by family. She was 86 years old.

Helen was born on September 24, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan, to Joseph Herman England and Gertrude Alexandrine England. On February 2, 1957, she married the love of her life, Ernest E. Gilbert. From that day forward, they built a life together filled with love, family, hard work, laughter, and countless memories. Recently, they celebrated 69 years of marriage with a dinner held in their honor. Their marriage was a true partnership, and the life they created together was one of the greatest accomplishments of Helen’s life.

Helen and Ernie not only shared a home and a family, but also a business. Together, they built Gilbert Electric into a successful family business. Helen kept the office running, handling the many details and providing the support that allowed Ernie to focus on his trade. Over the years, Gilbert Electric became more than a business, it became a place where family members could work, learn, and grow. When Helen and Ernie retired in 2005, they passed the reins to their daughter Kimberlee and son-in-law Erik. The legacy they built together continues to this day.

Above all else, Helen was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She spent many years as a homemaker, raising her three daughters, the best she knew how, and creating a home where family, laughter, and love were always welcome. She gave so much of herself to the people she loved, often in ways that were quiet and unseen, but deeply felt.

Helen had a wonderful zest for life. She loved to have fun, enjoyed a good laugh, and never took herself too seriously. She was a snazzy dresser who always wanted to look her best, and she had a personality that could light up a room. She made friends easily and treasured those friendships throughout her life.

She loved traveling across the country with friends, enjoying new places, good company, and, of course, plenty of card games along the way. At home, one of her greatest joys was her garden. She loved flowers and took great pride in her flower beds, especially her beloved white flowers. She seemed determined to fill her front yard with as many white blooms as she possibly could. Those flowers will forever be a beautiful reminder of her.

But perhaps the greatest part of Helen’s legacy is the love she poured into her family. She leaves behind memories that will be carried forward by her daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her family will remember her laughter, her strong spirit, her sense of humor, her beautiful gardens, her love of travel, and all the little moments that made having her in their lives so special.

Helen’s faith was at the very center of who she was. As a faithful and devoted one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, she found great joy in sharing with others the hope and comfort she found in God’s promises. She was never shy about speaking about her faith and the blessings she believed were ahead. Her faith gave her strength throughout her life and was a source of comfort and hope to those around her.

Helen is survived by her beloved husband of 69 years, Ernest E. Gilbert; her three daughters, Jodi Cohea, Lori Trull, and Kimberlee Dodd; her sisters, Barbara Hayes, Nancy Coon, Pam Washington, and Tami England; her Brother-in-law and Sister-in-law Gary and Gail GIlbert, her grandchildren, Brandi Karras, Amanda Higley, Jared Cohea, Timothy Trull, Jaimi Trull, Tyler Trull, Madison Trull, Megan Crouch, and Conrad Hawk; and her great-grandchildren, Dylan Cohea, Kaden Karras, Molly Karras, Alex Quiroz, Mallory Trull, Weston Crouch, and Addison Crouch and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her mother Gertrude Alexandrine England, father Joseph Herman England brothers, Gary England, Joseph England, and Jeffrey England.

For those who knew and loved her, “Punkie” was so much more than a name. She was a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother, a sister, a friend, and a woman of deep faith and tremendous heart. Her life was a gift. Her laughter was a blessing. Her love was a legacy.

May she rest peacefully, surrounded by the love of a lifetime, and may the beautiful memories she leaves behind bring comfort to everyone who will miss her.