Nancy Gilbert

Nancy Ann Gilbert went home to be with her Savior Jesus Christ on April 17, 2026. She was born on March 29, 1930 at the peak of the great depression in Duluth, Minnesota. She was the only child of Fred J. Montgomery and Naomi Irene Montgomery.

By her own admission, as an only child, she was rather spoiled by her parents. She was a Daddy's Girl, whose nickname for her was "Toots". Her father died prematurely when she was just 12 years old.

As a young girl of eight or nine, she demanded that her parents, who weren't particularly religious, drop her off at different churches each Sunday so that she could attend services. When she met her husband, John, he introduced her to the Episcopal Church, which she loved and served the rest of her life.

She was married for sixty-eight years to her husband, John D. Gilbert, who pre-deceased her eight years ago. They were truly partners in life. She is survived by four of her five sons John G. Gilbert (Robin), James M. Gilbert (Barbara), Jay M. Gilbert (Kathy), and Jody D. Gilbert (Sharon). One of her sons, Jeffrey P. Gilbert, pre-deceased her 10 years ago. She is also survived by seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

She excelled in High School in all subjects and was very active in numerous school activities, including acting in several plays in the Drama department.

As a young woman in her early twenties, she started her own Dance Studio where she taught tap dancing and ballet to working class children in West Duluth. She also was a member of a dance trio that put on recitals throughout the Arrowhead region of Northeastern Minnesota and Northwestern Wisconsin. They were very popular and put on shows almost every weekend. In fact, she was so good as a tap dancer she received an offer to go to New York City and work on Broadway shows, but her mother wouldn't hear of it.

Her love for her family was infinite and fierce. She would do anything for her children or grandchildren. The best three adjectives to describe her are Courageous, Loving and Compassionate.

She will be missed by all of those she helped and loved throughout her life.