Rita G. Gilbert

Saco

Rita (Hebert) Gilbert, wife of the late Maurice Gilbert and daughter of Philip Hebert and Leona (Boisvert) Hebert, passed away at age 91, on April 27, 2021, after an extended, debilitating illness.

A Saco resident, she was born in Biddeford and graduated from St. Joseph's High School.  Rita was a deeply empathetic person, who always saw the best in everyone and was dedicated to her family, into which she readily accepted many.  She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by her daughters, Janet Tanski of Worcester, and Joan (Richard Lewis) Gilbert and Mary-Ann Gilbert of Saco, as well as by her sons, Kevin (Julie) Gilbert of Waterboro, Michael (Angel Kinney) Gilbert of Sanford, Marc (Pam) Gilbert of Biddeford, and Ron (Leah) Gilbert of Cleveland.  Grandchildren include Andrew, Azia, Evan (Laura), Jessica, and Dr. Nathaniel Gilbert; Micah Maddox-Gilbert; Alex (Jacqueline Lussier) and Nicholas (Courtney) Tanski; Eden and Emily Hefron; and Ryan and MacKenzie Townsend.  Great-grandchildren include Lillian and Olivia Tanski.  Special thanks to long-time caregiver Mary Ann Gilbert.

Visitation will be from 11:00AM – 12:45PM Monday, May 3, 2021 at Cote Funeral Home Chapel, 87 James Street, Saco.  The Funeral Mass will follow at 1:00PM Monday, the same day, at St. Joseph's Church, 178 Elm Street, Biddeford. A Graveside Service after the funeral will be at St. Joseph's Cemetery, 120 West Street, Biddeford.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association at https://act.alz.org/donate or to Kennebunk's  Animal Welfare Society at https://animalwelfaresociety.org/give .

To view Rita's memorial page or leave an online condolence, please visit www.cotefuneralhome.com

The family would like to thank Hospice of Southern Maine for all their care and support during their time of need.