Mary “Suzanne” Gilbert, 81, of Lawrence, Kansas, passed away on Thursday, February 13, 2020 at The Windsor of Lawrence.
Services for Suzanne will be held at the First Baptist Church, 1330 Kasold Drive in Lawrence, Kansas at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 18, 2020. Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. at the church. Rev. Dr. Matthew Sturtevant will be officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Suzanne was born February 16, 1938 in Cassville, Missouri the daughter of Ralph and Susie Sandusky. She graduated from Canoga Park High School in California in 1956 and earned an Education Degree from the University of Kansas in 1977.
Suzanne married Verlin Gilbert on June 28, 1957 in Woodland Hills, California. Verlin survives at the home.
They settled in Lawrence and joined the First Baptist Church in 1957. With the help of the church, she was able to fulfill her lifelong passion for early childhood development by establishing the Johnnie Appleseed Preschool in 1980, utilizing Montessori teaching methods. Suzanne was loved by all the children that attended. She also volunteered for the Lawrence Public Schools. In 1995, the Lawrence Education Association presented her with the Friend of Education Award.
Suzanne was preceded in death by her daughter Dana Marie Hammond Knappenberger on February 22, 2004.
She is survived by a daughter, Sharna Miller and husband Dale and a son, Darren Gilbert and wife Gaila, siblings: Ralphetta Gibbons, Roy Short and wife Elvie and Margo Ary, seven grandchildren: Tyler Hammond, Dustin Gilbert, Alex Miller, A.J. Gilbert, Kaylea Knappenberger, Dale Miller, III and Grayson Gilbert, and two great grandchildren: Martin Hammond and Bronson Gilbert.
Suzanne was a member of the Lawrence Civic Choir for over 25 years and a board member of Mother to Mother.
She will be remembered as a beautiful woman who had a kind and nurturing heart, a soft-spoken and calming presence, a natural gift for storytelling, a passion for music and writing, and the deepest love for her husband, children and grandchildren.
Memorials may be given to the First Baptist Church, Lawrence, Kansas.
The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to Visiting Nurses Hospice and The Windsor of Lawrence, Memory Care.
I’m so sorry to hear about Suzanne–my thoughts and prayers go out to Verlin and to the Gilbert family. I will never forget the dinner she hosted for me and my husband before I became a teacher at Johnnie Appleseed Preschool. She was quietly retiring and wanted to be sure that I was a good fit. I apparently met her approval and taught there for 7 years. I always felt honored to be part of her legacy in creating a magnificent place for children to grow and learn. She will remembered fondly as a woman full of energy and grace.
A beautiful & enduring sister to me. She is so greatly missed
Suzanne was a beautiful lady, her love for teaching was so inspiring and I learned so much from her. My heart goes out to Verlin, Sharna, Darren and their families.
Mrs. Gilbert taught me to count to 100 when I was young, and as I grew, she modeled to me what it looked like to be a beautiful, strong and intelligent woman. Love and sympathy to the Gilberts and friends.
I am so sorry Verlin! Suzanne was a wonderful caring person. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time!
Our deepest sympathy to Verlin and the family. Met Suzanne and Verlin when Dana died and they accepted us as if we had always known the family. Suzanne was a good person and will be missed
So very sorry to hear of your loss.
Sarna our thoughts and prays are with you today and always
Know you will miss your mom for years to come. G0d bless your flamity
Sarna so sorry to hear about your mom and sorry we can not
be there. our
Sharna so sorry to hear about your mom passing. our prays and thoughts are with you and your family always.
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Very sorry for the loss of a beautiful person who loved and cared for everyone she meet. She will be missed!!! Love to all the Gilbert Family
Our prayers and thoughts to Verlin Darren Gaila and boys Suzanne was a beautiful person inside and out and was such a role model to our grandsons and you will be missed so much by everyone that knew you.
Darren, Gaila and boys, so sorry for your loss. May the wonderful memories of a life well lived sustain you in this difficult time.
You always saw me with eyes of forgiveness and encouragement. I’ve not ever forgotten the beginning nor the end!
What a great life Suzanne had!! She was a wonderful sister in law.
May God be with Verlin.