Helen L. Gilbert

Helen L. Gilbert, 86, of Loves Park died at 4:55 p.m. Saturday, November 12, 2011 in Rockford Memorial Hospital from injuries received from a fall in her home.nbsp; Born February 17, 1925 in Escanaba, MI, daughter of James and Edith Burgo Powers.nbsp; Graduated from St. Anthony Hospital School of Nursing in 1946 and worked as a registered nurse in the St. Anthony emergency room, ICU and the polio ward.nbsp; She also was a school nurse in the Harlem School District.nbsp; Married Louis R. Gilbert in Escanaba on September 4, 1948.nbsp; She was a long time member of St. Bridget Catholic Church where the Gilberts were one of thenbsp;first parishnbsp;families.nbsp; For nbsp;over 30 years she was a consultant for Doncaster Clothing and for many years was a member of the Presidentsnbsp;Circle and one of the top Doncaster consultants in the U.S.Helen was very active in the community and church organizations.nbsp; She was a member of Catholic Womens League, Caritas, St. Anthony Auxiliary and Provena St. Anne Auxiliary.nbsp; She previously had been involved with activities with the Law Wives and was on the Metro Center Board of Directors, a member of the University Club and the Quota Club.nbsp; She was a lifelong tennis player, an avid bridge player, and,in addition to her family,nbsp;one of the most important parts of her life for over 50 years was her pot luck crowd and, more recently, her breakfast group.

nbsp;Survivors include her children, Michael Gilbert, Patricia Wallis, Mary Mathis and John (Diantha) Gilbert; grandchildren, Erin Castrejon, Louis Gilbert, Emily Gilbert, Sean Gilbert and Ellen Gilbert; greatgranddaughter, Tia Castrejon and numerous nieces and nephews.nbsp; Predeceased by her husband on October 26, 1994, her parents and 4 sisters.

Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m.Friday, November 18, 2011 in St. Bridget Catholic Church with Rev. Paul Lipinski officiating. Burial in Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Visitation from 68 p.m. Thursday in Fitzgerald Funeral Home amp; Crematory, Riverside Chapel, 3910 N. Rockton Ave with a Rosary to be recited at 7:30 p.m. Visitation also from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. atnbsp;St. Bridget Catholic Church on Friday.