Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Mary Patricia “Pat” Gilbert, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, the 6th of October 2017 from recent health complications, at 76 years of age. She was born in Kansas City, Missouri on the 10th of August 1941, to Mary Jane and Howard Milton Harris, and moved to Houston in 1953. She graduated from Bellaire High School in 1958.
Pat was an avid participant in her community and was happiest when she was immersed in a project. She was a past president of three organizations that she was involved in: the Tanglewood Garden Club, the River Oaks Luncheon Club, and the Colonneh Women’s Auxiliary. Pat also played regular games of mah jongg and bridge over the years with her same group of close friends. A longtime member of St. Michael Catholic Church, she was especially known for her expertise in flower arranging for the altar. Additionally, she enjoyed providing flowers for special events and weddings including the recent wedding of her grandson, James Soler, in Lubbock. Her abundance of creativity was evident in her art as well. Many family members and friends feel her Impressionist renditions of landscapes and portraits are their prized possessions.
On the 6th of September 1963, Pat married the love of her life, John Wendel Gilbert with whom she recently celebrated 54 years of marriage. As a devoted wife and mother of four sons, 11 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, she was known for her thoughtfulness and gentle spirit. She had a knack for always finding the right gift for each person in her life and making holidays very special. Her stocking stuffers were spectacular, and her family always looked forward to diving in. When her grandchildren were small, she held “Camp Houston” where she organized activities including cooking and painting lessons, museum visits, watching movies, and trips to Dylan’s Candy Bar.
Known by many names, “Pat,” “Tricia,” “Mom,” “Gigi,” and “America’s Favorite Redhead,” she is preceded in death by her parents; her paternal grandparents, Ida and Alec Harris; and her maternal grandparents, Bernice and Dick VanCamp, all of Kansas City, Missouri. Pat is survived by her husband John; sons, Bret Rice, Mike Gilbert, John Gilbert, Jr., and Randy Rice of Austin; her daughters-in-law, Orfa Rice, Bella Gilbert, Sandy Gilbert, and Alison Rice of Austin. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Ana Rice, Andy Rice, Molly Gilbert, Kirby Gilbert, Jaklyn Soler, Mary Margaret Gilbert, Melissa Gilbert, Leslie Rice of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Matthew Rice of Austin, James Soler and Sarah Soler of Lubbock, and Candace Rice and great grandchildren, Caden and Ceilidh Rice of Knoxville, Tennessee. She is also survived by her three siblings, Jim Harris, Hughes Harris, and Linda Kahanek.
The family would like to thank all of Pat’s many friends who enriched and shared in her joyful life. Pat was adored and cherished by so many who loved her and will miss her greatly. We find comfort and solace in our confidence that Pat is residing with the angels in a peaceful existence free of pain, strife, and worry.
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from half-past five o'clock in the afternoon until eight o'clock in the evening on Wednesday, the 11th of October, in the parlor and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, following a recitation of the Holy Rosary which is to commence at five o'clock in the adjacent Jasek Chapel.
A funeral mass is to be offered at ten o'clock in the morning on Thursday, the 12th of October, at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 1801 Sage Road in Houston.
Honored to serve as pall bearers are Thomas De Georgio, Ralph Turicchi, Andy Rice, Matthew Rice, Jack Roeder and Jack Gilbert.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in her name be directed to St. Michael Catholic Church; 1801 Sage Road, Houston, TX, 77056; to Nora’s Home, 8300 El Rio St., Houston, TX, 77054; or to the charity of one’s choice.
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