Jean Heald Gilbert, 78, of Ipswich and Southport, ME, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2022. Jean was born in Augusta, Maine on March 7, 1944, the middle of three daughters born to the late Guy and Evelyn (Gray) Heald.

 

When she was in the second grade, her family moved from Augusta to Winthrop, Maine where she met Gary Gilbert, her loving and devoted future husband. They married in June of 1966 and raised three children as well as many Bichon Frise rescue “pups.” Jean was a graduate of the University of Maine Farmington and had a rewarding teaching career. As her children grew, she earned a graduate degree in Child Development from Wheelock College.  Jean taught at the middle and high school levels, and later in her career, she served as the Director of the Boxford Village School and was adjunct faculty at a number of colleges.

 

“Mimi,” as she was called by her grandchildren, was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She was also a passionate knitter and an amazing cook.  She loved to travel and was fortunate enough to see many incredible places all around the world, but her favorite spot was looking out over the cove at her home in Maine.

 

In addition to her loving husband, she is survived by three children: Mark Gilbert and his partner Yvonne of Florida, Scott Gilbert and his wife Pippin of Florida and Nicole Gilbert Cote and her husband Brian of Massachusetts. She leaves behind seven beloved grandchildren: Caitlyn, Wyatt, Wesley, Landon, Samantha, Devon and Kendall, as well as several amazing friends who stood by her side as she battled dementia. The family wishes to thank her longtime caregiver, Lois, and the teams at Masconomet Healthcare Center and Harborside Hospice for their emotional support, compassion and incredible care.

 

A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution in her name to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org).

 

Arrangements are under the direction of the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home of Ipswich. To send a condolence please visit www.whittier-porter.com