Skowhegan – Elizabeth “Betty” Marie Gilbert, 87, passed away on Tuesday, January 14th, 2025, at Cedar Ridge Nursing Home in Skowhegan. Betty was born in Cornville on November 11th, 1937, daughter to Juliette (Lessard) and Philip P. Thebarge. She attended the Skowhegan area schools. Betty married, raised four children of her own and chased around six grandchildren. This was her full-time job, keeping her very busy and she loved it more than anything.

Betty enjoyed traveling with her close friend Bob and their dog Buddy. They were members of The Maine Wheels RV Camping Club for many years. Betty loved her lunches with her girlfriends and Bingo nights. She was a member of the Eagles Auxiliary. She loved music, meeting new people, trying new foods, shopping with her daughters, reading and going on walks. She disliked un-made beds, holy jeans, snakes, and piles of unfolded laundry. Betty had a beautiful smile that lit up the room and her laughter was unmatched.

She was predeceased by her parents; companion Bob Ames; two children, Marie Scott and Steven Gilbert; sister, Thelma Thebarge, and brothers Robert Thebarge, David Thebarge, and Joseph Lessard.

Betty is survived by her daughters Louise Ritter with her husband Michael Sr. and Lorraine Garcia with her husband Steven; son-in-law Mike Scott; grandchildren Brittany Gilbert, Michael Ritter Jr., Derek Ritter, Mathew Garcia, Grant Garcia, and Hunter Scott; sisters Maxine Huff and Corrine Lawson; several nieces and nephews; and long -time friends and neighbors Gary and Elaine Wallace.

The family would like to thank the staff at Cedar Ridge Nursing Home and a very special care giver Tiffany Poulin.

A celebration of her life will be held on Friday, May 30th at 10:30 at the Somerset Valley Remembrance Center, 19 Washburn Ln. in Skowhegan. A luncheon will immediately follow. At 2 p.m. a Christian Burial will be held at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery located on North Ave., Skowhegan.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local animal shelter or do a random act of kindness in her memory.

I would like the memory of my mom be a happy one. Of happy times. Laughing times. Of bright and sunny days.