Gilbert, Joan

Joan (Gardiner) Gilbert, age 76, of Wilmington, formerly of Reading, died Saturday, March 15, 2008, at the Walden Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Concord following a lengthy illness.

Joan was born on October 3, 1931, in Monson, Maine, daughter of the late Helge A. and Juanita (Early) Anderson. Joan grew up in Lexington, MA and spent her summers in Willamantic, Maine. She graduated from Lexington High School and went on to get her secretarial degree from Hickocks Secretarial School in Boston. In her early twenties, Joan was a model; she was voted "Miss Filenes" and "Miss Jordan Marsh".

Joan was employed as an Executive Secretary for M.I.T. in Cambridge for many years and went on to become an Executive Assistant for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Energy.

Joan lived in Reading for over 25 years prior to moving to Wilmington 9 years ago. She worked for WCTV in Wilmington for several years. In her spare time, Joan enjoyed ceramics, long walks on the beach, travelling all over the world, and spending time with her family and her grandchildren.

Joan was the beloved wife of Charles N. Gilbert of Wilmington, devoted mother of Leslie J. Berian, Carole L. Martin & her husband Richard, and Cynthia L. Gardiner all of East Falmouth, Lisa Gardiner-Zajac & her husband Stephen of Tewksbury, and Wendy B. Gardiner & her fiancé David Zajac of Dracut, loving grandmother of Michael G., Joseph R. & Andrew G. Berian, Christopher F. Gardiner and Brian D. Martin, sister of William H. Anderson & his wife Sandra of Shirley, step-mother of Charles E. Gilbert & his wife Sharon of E. Moriches, Long Island, NY, Susan G. Sexton of Mansfield, and Arthur J. Gilbert & his wife Betsy of So. Weymouth, also survived by 9 step-grandchildren.

Her funeral was held on Wednesday, March 19th from the Nichols Funeral Home, Inc., 187 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington, followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Thomas Church, which was celebrated by Fr. Philip Earley. Interment took place in Wildwood Cemetery.

Memorial donations in Joan's name may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 311 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA 02472.

Memorial donations in Joan's name may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 311 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA 02472.

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