Manchester Obituary: Barbara Gilbert, 98

Barbara Nickerson Gilbert passed away on Monday, December 21, 2015, at the age of 98.

She was predeceased by her husband, Charles Nathaniel Gilbert; her parents, John W. and Alice A. Nickerson; and her sister, Eleanor “Nicky” Nickerson.

She lived in Manchester most of her life and was a high honor student at South Manchester High School, Class of 1934. Barbara was a 1936 graduate of Morse Business College, and enjoyed a secretarial career before marrying and raising a family. In 1966, she and her husband established Gilbert-Love Travel, Inc., from which they retired in 1989. At the travel agency, she became a specialist in cruise travel and she and Charlie traveled widely. Barbara was very active in the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Manchester, and spent the last few years of her life at the Christian Science Benevolent Association in Chestnut Hill, Mass.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law David and Patricia Gilbert of Rocky Hill; their children Paul Dean, Jennifer Hodolitz, and Eric Gilbert; Jennifer’s husband, Steve, and children Cole Svendsen and Grace Hodolitz; Eric’s wife, Joelle, and son, Otis Gilbert; and her daughter and son-in-law Nancy and Rick Green of Rocky Hill; their children, Erin, Michael and Kevin Scanlon, and Michael’s wife, Kerri.

A memorial service will be held at First Church of Christ in Wethersfield (address below) at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 26. Burial will be private, at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ministry of Music and the Arts at First Church of Christ, 250 Main Street, Wethersfield, CT 06109.