Obituary of Sharon Gilbert
Sharon Gilbert was born in Des Moines, Iowa on April 5, 1945 to Ralph and Alta Mae Clemmons. The family grew as they moved west to Norwalk, California where Sharon grew up with her brother Rick, and sisters Charlene and Doris.
Sharon bravely and determinedly fought Parkinson’s Disease for many years, unfortunately Sharon succumbed to injuries due to a fall because of PD on July 29, 2022 at the age of 77.
Sharon is survived by her husband, Ken, of 50 years, her daughter Theresa, son Jeff, and granddaughters Rhiannon and Awren, her sisters Doris and Charlene and their spouses, many nieces, nephews, and many dear friends. She is preceded in death by her parents Ralph and Alta Mae and brother Rick.
Sharon worked at the telephone company before marrying Ken Gilbert and then moving to Santa Cruz, California. Over the years Sharon worked in accounting for various companies: Bank of America, Smith & Associates, Bay Video, Emergency Training Services, Salon Technology, Santa Cruz Nutritional.
Sharon raised her two children; Theresa and Jeff, in Santa Cruz and then Bonny Doon. Sharon was a Girl Scout leader, Den Mother, softball coach, and her children’s chauffeur to their many activities around the county.
Sharon loved horses. She had her first horse, Jill, in Norwalk; many stories of her riding along Santa Ana River. On the Bonny Doon trails she rode April, Bonnie and Jessica. She volunteered with the Horse Patrol—in Wilder Ranch State Park.
Sharon enjoyed traveling. As a family and then later as a couple, they would journey across and around the United States more times than we can remember. They stopped at antique car shows, national parks, museums, historical monuments and visited their many friends along the way. They participated in three "Mini Takes the States" rallies. Sharon was always up for an adventure! Sharon and Ken traveled to Australia and New Zealand, and of course made new friends. Sharon frequently visited cousins Cathy and Clarence on the Big Island in Hawaii. Other adventures included the Bahamas, Cuba, Canada, Costa Rica.
Sharon was kind, generous, helpful, and friendly to everyone she encountered. She was always prepared just like the Girl Scout motto, and was ready to jump up and pitch in wherever needed. Sharon volunteered in her daughter Theresa's classroom every year until she was unable. She enjoyed helping the children with their reading fluency and comprehension or their math facts. She made many friends throughout the years in her various social groups: Bonny Doon Ladies Club, Antique Automobile Club, Crazy 8s—4 retired CDF couples, and Bonny Doon Bunco—where she always won!!!
There will be a Celebration of Life on August 13th at 2pm at Hidden Meadow Ranch, 6660 Bonny Doon Road. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Parkinson’s Foundation.
