Julie Cathleen Gilbert, 92, peacefully entered into rest while at home in Halifax, VT surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, January 25, 2026. Julie was born on December 29, 1933, one of the eight children of Walter and Anna Myers of Danbury, CT. She was the devoted wife of the late Jairus (Jerry) C. Gilbert Sr. for 52 years.
Julie was predeceased by husband Jerry, her eldest son Joel, eldest daughter Sally, granddaughter Scarlett, and grandson Jake. She is survived by her children and their families: Jay, Aaron (Tamy), Marnie, Ed (Caroline), Max, and Pattie (Billy); her grandchildren and their families: Dillon, AJ, Wyatt, Rebekah (Chris), Jennie (David), Kate, Brianna (Bryan), Liam, Micah, Tyler, Maya, Brandi, and Lexie; and her great-grandchildren: Elodie, Ava, Will, Cameron, and Corbin.
Julie spent her early years in Danbury, CT, and her late teen years in Canada. She attended the Danbury Hospital School of Nursing, graduating as a Registered Nurse in 1954. She worked for a number of years in the Danbury Hospital Emergency Department and Surgical Ward. She met and eventually married Jerry on September 6, 1958, and went on to raise eight children. In 1968, the family moved from Danbury to Seymour, CT, residing there for over 40 years.
For those that know, the Gilbert house on Moss Avenue in Seymour was never a dull place. From winter days of skating and sledding, to the endless games of “Chase” on spring nights, to summer days filled with swimming and other summertime adventures, the Gilbert house was a raucous place to grow up. Nights of the flickering back porchlight were often punctuated by Julie leaning out the back door and loudly calling to her children that dinner was ready.
Julie eventually returned to her calling as a registered nurse, working at several Naugatuck Valley nursing homes throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
Retiring in the early-2000s, Julie and Jerry resided for a time in NC, NY, and VT where Jerry passed in 2010. Julie spent the last few years of her life living with her children and their families – first with Joel in West Haven, CT, then with Marnie in Amenia, NY, and finally with Pattie in Halifax, VT.
Julie lived a long life full of compassion and caring, with a strong faith in God, and an
unwavering belief in the Golden Rule “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Never did a relative, one of her children’s friends, or even a random visitor, go hungry or get turned away – there was always a simple meal offered and a place to sleep.
Additionally, the family would like to give heartfelt thanks to Matthew and Bayada Hospice for providing Julie with compassionate medical care for the last eighteen months of her long life.
At Julie’s request, there will be a small family service and Catholic Mass at a later date.
“Give my soul to God. If by chance you wish to remember me to do so with a kind deed or word to someone who needs you.”.