Helen Alice Gilbert

Helen Alice Gilbert

Our mom, Helen Alice Gilbert, 98, was taken by God's hand August 15, 2025. She was predeceased by her parents Richard B. and Adelaide A. Graham, her brother Richard B. Graham, and her husband, Charles Hays Gilbert,

She often said, "My life was full, I was given much; good parents, a faithful husband, four good boys, and their loving touch."

Helen was born in McKeesport, PA., June 22, 1927, daughter of Richard and Adelaide Simpson Graham. She met her soulmate, Chuck Gilbert, at age fourteen, their first year in high school. They married at age twenty-two and provided a loving family for their four boys, living many years in McKeesport, PA. They were members of Greenock United Methodist Church for over twenty years. The church was built by David Gilbert, an uncle of Chuck’s. Chuck was on the Board when they burned the mortgage. Reverend Harold Greenway was their wonderful minister. He was so good teaching young people – such a huge help to Helen and Chuck trying to set their four boys on the Christian way of life.

Helen was a Cub Scout Den Mother for many years and a member of Eastern Star. Apart from her home duties, Helen worked as a secretary at U.S. Steel, Gulf Oil, and several banks in Pittsburgh, PA. She always managed to catch a few winks on her train ride to work. She enjoyed reading, dancing, and card games. An avid bridge player, she thoroughly enjoyed groups in Edinboro, Waterford, PA., and in Florida. However, right from the time she was a little girl through her years as a great-grandmother, the very best times in her life were with family.

As a young, married couple, Chuck and Helen built a cottage on Lakeside in Edinboro, PA. where the family vacationed. They moved there full time in the early 1970's. Helen worked two years at Edinboro College, as an office secretary, helped operate the family's vacation and college student housing rental business, and oftentimes, doled out the fishing worms, her sons had caught to sell to vacationers on Lakeside.

The family loved traveling. Much of this was camping trips, beginning in a tent, stepping up to a pickup truck camper, then a series of travel trailers, and up to a thirty-two-foot motor home. They made five trips around the United States, visiting all the lower forty-eight states. They visited Alaska and Hawaii on cruises and took several jet flight excursions to Europe, the most memorable, a seven-week tour of seven countries.

Helen and Chuck retired to Florida, building their own home in Port Richey, but were "snowbirds" for over thirty years. They returned each year to their beloved Pennsylvania, often saying they were experiencing the best of two worlds. For several summers, while still living in their motorhome, they enjoyed the community services of Union City Senior Center.

St. Mary’s at Asbury Ridge, Erie, provided the perfect home for their final years which were greatly enhanced by regular weekly visits by Cindy Danielson of Edinboro, their former daughter-in-law. The family enjoyed a festive gathering of family and friends at St. Mary’s to celebrate Helen and Chuck’s seventy-fifth wedding anniversary, May 28, 2024.

Helen is survived by her four sons, Keith (Kathy), Erie, PA., Charles (Sheryl), Palm Harbor, FL., Graham (Louise), Indian Lake, NY., Thomas (Jessica), Deland, FL., eight grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, Sister-In Law, Janet Graham, Estes Park, CO., and many nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the Burton Quinn-Scott Funeral Home, West Ridge, 3801 W. 26th St., Erie on Wednesday, August 27th from 10 AM until the time of service there at 12 PM. Burial will take place in Mount Vernon Cemetery, McKeesport, PA.

Memorials may be sent to Shriners Hospital for Children, 1645 West 8th Street, Erie, PA., 16505

God looked around his garden

and found an empty place -

He then looked down upon

the earth and saw your tired face.

He put his arms around you

and lifted you to rest -

God's garden must be beautiful

he always takes the best.

It broke our hearts to lose you,

but you didn't go alone -

Part of all of us went with you

the day God called you home.