OAKVILLE — Teresa G. Gilbert passed away peacefully Monday, Dec. 19, 2016 at the VITAS unit at St. Mary’s Hospital. She was the wife of Benedict G. Gilbert.
Mrs. Gilbert was born June 6 on the family farm located on River Road in Unionville to the late Michael and Sophie (Muszynski) Glanovsky. One of nine children, she was raised in the Farmington area graduating from Farmington High School, where she was active playing field hockey, softball and basketball. She also enjoyed bowling. She spent her childhood swimming in the Farmington River and going to high school football games and snowball fights with her siblings. Her first job was also in the Farmington area picking tobacco at a young age as well as working at her brother Andy’s South End Market in the deli.
She met her future husband, Ben, in June of 1959 at Lake Compounce after he asked her to dance. After marrying Ben they lived in Waterbury before moving to Oakville years ago. She was a volunteer for the Book Nook at the Watertown library serving as treasurer. She was an active part of her daughter’s life serving as a Girl Scout leader in Waterbury Troop 4072. Her strongest life lesson to her daughter was to “always help others.”
She was employed in the banking industry for many years, working in Phoenix and Colonial Banks as well as Bank of Boston. She enjoyed fine dining, shopping, gardening, Sunday rides and helping out at the Elks 967 in Naugatuck, where she and her husband played couples setback. During her husband’s time as exalted ruler of the Elks lodge, Mrs. Gilbert assisted her husband in many activities. She was also a member of the Emblem Club and had served as their treasurer.
Besides her husband of 55 years, Teresa is survived by her daughter, Lynn Bliven and her husband, Todd, of Murphy, N.C.; her brother, Frederick and his wife, Ann, of Farmington; her sister-in-law, Marilyn Glenn of Avon, as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
The family would like to thank the staff at the VITAS unit at St. Mary’s Hospital for their kind and compassionate care.
Funerals services will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016 at 5 p.m. at the Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Naugatuck, 201 Meadow St. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016 from 3 p.m. until the start of the service at 5 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Oak Hill School for the Blind, 120 Holcomb St., Hartford, CT 06112.
For online condolences, to share a photo or a story, visit www.fordfh.com.
