Cynthia Jane Gilbert

Cynthia Jane Gilbert January 18, 1936 - October 22, 2015 Cynthia Jane Gilbert passed away Thursday, October 22, 2015 in Orange, CA. Cynthia will be greatly missed, but the family and friends that were part of her life are forever grateful. Everywhere she went, she brought a caring and outgoing attitude. She was always happy to meet, talk and spend time with new friends. Her energy to play with her grandsons was exceptional. Cynthia was born in Southgate, CA during the Great Depression. Her parents were hard working, loving, Christians that made the best of difficult times. The family moved to the Modesto area where Cynthia and her brother spent her grade school years. She went to high school in Sonora, CA. After high school, Cynthia went to Oregon State College and graduated with a major in Home Economics. She loved her college experience and was a proud OSC Beaver. While at OSC, Cynthia met Carl Gilbert and they married after graduating. The newlyweds moved to Philadelphia where Cynthia earned her Master's Degree while Carl attended Optometry School. Cynthia started her teaching career there. Later, they moved back west to Everett, WA. Cynthia and Carl had two children, Carol and Conrad, both born in Everett. Later, the family moved to Duncanville, TX. Cynthia spent a lot of time with her kid's activities at school, church, Boy scouts and Camp Fire Girls. In 1978, the family moved to Placentia, CA. With Cynthia's energy and determination, the Gilbert family became heavily involved in many social endeavors which included church, music and youth sports. In 1985, Cynthia went back to teaching and taught at Moreno Elementary School in Montclair, CA, for 15 years. She had a strong desire to help others. She was truly a teacher at heart. Genealogy was another of Cynthia's loves. She was very active in the Genealogical Society of North Orange County. Another love was sewing. Cynthia was a talented seamstress. She made clothes for her family and wedding dresses for friends. There was nothing Cynthia could not sew. Quilting, was Cynthia's true calling. She became very active in local quilting groups such as the North Orange County Quilt Guild and the Quilting Queens. She created countless quilts, most of which were donated to charities. Her favorite charity for donating quilts to is Crittenton Services in Fullerton. Crittenton Services assists displaced children in emergency situations. Cynthia found great satisfaction knowing that a quilt she created would be given to a needy child to "hold, cuddle, and keep them warm and snuggly" (Cynthia's actual words!). Each creative quilt was a work of love. The family is very proud of Cynthia's generous gifts of time, creativity and effort. Cynthia is preceded in death by her parents Noah & Mildred Van Hook, and her brother, Noah Jr. She is survived by her children Carol and Conrad and their spouses, Joe Vizenor and Tia Gilbert, as well as four grand children, Andrew and Sam Vizenor, and Jeffry and David Gilbert. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Rebecca Van Hook and two nephews, Luke and Daniel Van Hook. Cynthia will be interned at Lakewood Memorial Cemetery near Modesto. A "Celebration of Life Memorial" for Cynthia will be held at the Placentia United Methodist Church on Monday, November 9th, 2015, at 3p.m. There will be a gathering immediately afterwards for all family and friends. Burial services are being provided by McCauley Wallace of Fullerton. Floral arrangements by Mum's the Word Florists, Fullerton. Donations in Cynthia's honor can be made to Crittenton Services for Children and Families, P.O. Box 9, Fullerton, CA, 92836-0009, or at www.CrittentonSoCal.org. On behalf of Cynthia, her family would like to express our sincerest thanks to all the many family and friends that are part of our lives. Thank you for your support, love and prayers- past, present and future.