SKOWHEGAN - Clara Marie Gilbert of Skowhegan passed away Friday December 5, 2025, at the age of 102, three days before her 103rd birthday. She was born in Madison, Maine on December 8, 1922. She was the oldest daughter of Cyprien and Domitile (Poirier) Johnson. She attended schools in Madison, later moving to Skowhegan. When Clara turned 19, the day after Pearl Harbor was bombed, she enlisted in the U.S. Navy where she spent the next two years stationed in Arlington, Virginia as a file clerk for the Bureau of Navy Personnel. Upon moving back to Skowhegan, she married Roland Gilbert and raised three young children, Roland Jr., Sheryl, and Shirley. Clara spent most of her years working in local shoe factories in the Skowhegan area. When she retired, she went back to school to get her GED. She also had a love of sewing which brought her to attend Skowhegan High School evening classes to learn quilting. She made 19 quilts for her children, grandchildren, and others. To stay busy, she also made pocketbooks, nearly 400 which have been sold here and overseas. She loved playing cards, especially cribbage. She would play with friends as well as her brothers and sister. She was always proud of her time in the military. Clara and her daughter, Shirley, went on a trip to Washington D.C. with The Honor Flight Organization, also being surprised by grandchildren Kim and Duke attending the tour. She said it was one of the best times of her life. She also enjoyed traveling to Florida to visit with her oldest daughter, Sheryl, and family. Clara was predeceased by her husband, Roland, daughter, Sheryl, and grandson, Kris (Casey) Brown, and also brothers Ned, Jill, and Philias, and sister Evelyn Veilleux, and a niece and nephew. She is survived by her son, Roland, daughter, Shirley and husband Bob, brother Charlie (Judy), and sister Shirley (Mickey) MacDonald, grandchildren Kim, Duke Curtis, Sarah, and Tara. Great grandchildren Kierstin, Katie, Chandler, Kamden, Earl, Gus, and Noah, Brandon and Brooke, and two great great grandchildren, Charlotte and Hayley. There will be no visiting hours, but a memorial service will be held in the spring at the Veterans Cemetery in August. A date and time will be announced at a later date.