Jeanne Gilbert

Jeanne Wilson Gillette Gilbert was born to Irma Wright Wilson Gillette and John Rodney Gillette on the 12th of May 1925, in Hollywood, California. She passed away peacefully at home in Houston, Texas on the 22nd of September 2010, at the age of 85.

The family moved to San Diego, California in 1929, when Guilford Whitney enticed Jeanne's father to become the controller of his Whitney Department Stores. The family first settled in North Park, and then lived for many years in Kensington. Jeanne attended Jefferson Elementary School, Roosevelt Junior High School, and graduated from Hoover High School in 1942. Jeanne was an exceptional student, and was especially gifted in mathematics and music. She attended San Diego State College for two years and was an active member of Phi Sigma Nu, which later became a chapter of Pi Beta Phi. Many cherished friendships were formed during those school days. She then transferred to the University of California at Berkeley, graduating in 1947 with a degree in mathematics. She had wished to major in engineering, but was assured by her advisor that NO ONE would hire a woman engineer!

At Cal, there was a tall, blond, handsome, quiet math/engineering student in many of Jeanne’s classes. They were usually vying for the top grade. Students were seated alphabetically -- so it was Dave Gilbert, then Jeanne Gillette -- and the rest is history. They were married at First Presbyterian Church in San Diego on the 26th of June 1948. Jeanne worked as an Engineer's Assistant at Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Company in San Diego, and was soon promoted to the more demanding job of motherhood. She lovingly raised six children, and thoroughly enjoyed the role of grandmother to her ten grandchildren. The Gilbert family moved to Houston in 1962 when Jeanne's husband, Dave, was one of the early engineers to be hired by NASA for the developing space program. It was an exciting career, to be sure, but Jeanne missed San Diego -- her friends, the beaches, parks, museums and the zoo.

Jeanne is preceded in death by her husband of nearly 60 years. Her heart broke the day Dave died, and the family finds comfort in knowing they are reunited for eternity. She is survived by her children: Laurence, Lee Ann, Dean, Barbara, John, and Mary Helen; her ten grandchildren: Andrea, Katie, Sean, Rebecca, Jack, Jason, Ellen, Madeline, Bridget and Molly; her sister, Kay Gillette North, and several nieces and a nephew. The family will miss Jeanne’s sparkling smile, her warm hospitality, and her loving presence.

The Gilbert family cordially invites friends to attend the memorial service which is to be conducted at three o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 9th of October, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where The Rev. Gena Davis, Pastor of Trinity Episcopal Church of Baytown, is to officiate.