Suzette Shirley Gilchrist

Beloved mother, daughter, and friend Suzette Shirley Wankier Gilchrist passed away at 3:04pm on Saturday, November 13, 2021 at Monroe Hospital. Suzette was born in Oakland, California on October 5, 1946 to Shirley "Hank" Wankier and Betty Lucas Wankier. She and her parents moved to Bloomington, Indiana when she was still a baby, where she lived most of her life. Survivors include her mother, Betty Wankier of Bloomington; three daughters, Lisa Gilchrist of Indianapolis, Juliet (David) White of Columbus and Kirsten (Aaron) Phillips of Bloomington; eight grandchildren, Erik Rodriguez, Tyler Rodriguez, Braden Rodriguez, Alek Rodriguez, Maya Gilchrist-Stringer, Alexandra Phillips, Arianna Phillips, and Shepherd Phillips; and myriads of other adopted kids and grandkids. She was preceded in death by her father; her husband, R. Kent Gilchrist; and two grandchildren who died in infancy. She attended Hunter Elementary School, Binford Middle School, and Bloomington High School, all in Bloomington. Suzette later attended Indiana University School of Music where she obtained a Bachelors of Music and met her husband and love of her life, R. Kent Gilchrist. They were married in Bloomington, Indiana on August 8, 1970 and later sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints a week later. Suzette was an opera singer and voice teacher by profession, she loved music and performing. She was very active in her church and church choir, serving many years as choir director. She loved to be with her family, her daughters and grandchildren, she missed very few events where she could cheer on her grandkids. She was an avid sports fan, and her cell phone would regularly blow up with baseball stats during the summer season. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Funeral Services will be Saturday, November 20, 2021 at 11:00 AM, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 2411 East 2nd Street, Bloomington, IN 47401, with Bishop Donnie Young officiating, Burial will follow at Clear Creek Cemetery. There will be a Gathering of Family and Friends on Friday, November 19, 2021 from 4:00 – 8:00 PM at Day & Deremiah-Frye Funeral Home, 4150 E Third St. Flowers are welcome. Mom loved wearing bright colors. Please feel free to wear bright colors to her funeral to celebrate her life. The brighter the better. She would love it! At the request of the family, everyone attending services or visitation will be required to wear a mask.