Olive Gilbert

Olive Hope Gilbert died March 25 at home in Milwaukee of complications from cancer. She was 84. Olive was born August 16, 1925, in Paterson, New Jersey, the fifth child in six, to Raymond and Caroline Kirchner. A gifted academic student and natural athlete, She graduated with honors from Paterson Central High School, class of January 1943. With a love of books, birds, big bands and everything plaid, Olive retired with a pension from the U.S. Shoe Corporation where she was as an executive secretary. She continued to work and volunteer at St. Mary's Hospital until four months before her death. She was a dedicated Scottish Country dancer, played volleyball and golf her entire life. She took up downhill skiing at age 50, then soccer at age 70. She was a passionate sports fan – foremost of her childrens' and grandchildrens' efforts, and of Brett Favre's every game. On August 23, 1950, Olive married the love of her life, Courtney Lawrence Gilbert, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He passed away in July 1978 from the same rare cancer.Olive is survived by her brother, Carl Kirchner, of Hackettstown, New Jersey, and 3 children; Catherine Jane Carpenter, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Robert Donald, of Gothenburg, Sweden, and Steven Lawrence, of Bloomington, Indiana. She's blessed with five grandchildren; Daniel John and Lindsay Hope Carpenter, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Kelsi Carolyn, Kyle Quinn, and Courtney Nicole Gilbert, San Rafael, California. She's also blessed with numerous cousins, 8 nieces, 8 nephews and all their wonderful children, residing in Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, and Washington. And she's ever so blessed with the great joy and laughter shared over the years, and around the world, with many dear friends. Grace and Peace, Olive Hope.