Ethel P. Gilbert
Ethel Nina Pitman Gilbert, age 94, passed away peacefully July 4, 2020. She was born January 28,1926 in Scranton, Pennsylvania to William H. Pitman and Carrie Saar Pitman. She married her soul mate, Blair Gilbert, on June 28,1949 who preceded her in death in 2010.
Ethel loved music throughout her life, and her first performance was at age 4. Her talent was obvious from an early age and was in many musical competitions until she earned a Music degree in 1947 from Penn State University. Following graduation, she was a music teacher, church organist, piano teacher, and hostess of many great caroling parties and piano recitals.
Ethel was also an enthusiastic gardener, seamstress, floral arranger; tried her hand at metal sculpting, and cement stone art. Ethel and Blair had a long happy marriage and traveled extensively visiting China, Egypt, Australia, Europe, Asia and New Zealand.
Ethel’s passion for music supported her love of church and family. Besides playing the church organ for many years, she was also very active in church life. Family, church, and music were always intertwined together. As her family grew to grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Ethel continued to focus on family connections – the biannual family trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina was not to be missed! She faithfully joined the family for as long as she was able.
She will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts. Ethel’s was a life well lived and she was widely loved for her enthusiasm and interest in others. Some knew her for her music, her flower arranging, or arts and crafts. Her family and friends knew her for all these things. Her life’s example is her lasting legacy.
Ethel is survived by her children, Bill (Maria) Gilbert and Steve (Maryalice) Gilbert and grandchildren: Jennifer (Greg) Lestini, Elizabeth (Ed) Palcisco, Danielle (Ali) Raja, Alexis (Mark) Zito, Caitlin (Ryan) Beck, Zachary Gilbert and great grandchildren: Isabella Lestini, Chase Raja, Sophia Lestini, Blair Palcisco, Carter Raja, Bianca Zito, Dominic Palcisco, Keegan Zito and Eleni Beck.
A celebration of Ethel’s life will be held at Monfort Heights United Methodist Church, 3682 W Fork Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45247, on Sunday, August 2, 2020 beginning at 2:00 p.m.
Flowers or donations to Hospice of Iredell County, 202 Williamson Rd., Mooresville, NC 28117 or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America are welcome.
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