Lois Jean Glavins Gilbert
October 11, 1930 - March 7, 2017
Lois Jean Glavins Gilbert, teacher, lifelong learner, Francophile, storyteller and explorer of all things spiritual became spirit herself on March 7 2017, after a short illness. With vigilant end-of-life care, she died as she lived, with gusto, dignity and on her own terms.
Lois was born in Denver Colorado on October 11, 1930. She was the beloved only child of Mary Kathryn Nee, an Irish Roman Catholic lass and her Jewish dad, Joseph Glavins. Lois attended St. Francis de Sales Catholic high school in Denver. The nuns there did their level best to discourage her from applying to the University of Colorado, Boulder, because philosophy was a required subject there, which could cause her to stray from the flock. Despite their admonitions, that’s exactly what bold Lois did, studying education, joining the Alpha Delta Phi sorority and earning her teaching credential, before heading out west to explore the world beyond Boulder.
Lois moved to the San Francisco Bay Area and spent most of her 40 year teaching career working for the South San Francisco Unified School District teaching English, ESL and French. Lois became a fluent French speaker by studying in France. Stateside, she was a member of Alliance Française where she enjoyed the comradery of other Francophiles and Francophones.
Lois attended classes at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and participated vigorously in any opportunity that came her way to engage with others, particularly those who had differing view points. She loved a spirited discussion and could brilliantly hold court on any subject with a depth of knowledge that was impressive, employing her wry sense of humor to good effect.
Lois’s marriage to our father Stanley H. Gilbert was a true union of kindred souls, for over 25 years. The fact that he described himself as a “Jewnitarian” in a personal ad won her over from the start. They traveled the world, enjoyed opera, symphony, ballet, ballroom dancing, theater (Lois shined in several dramatic productions), fine foods and the wines appropriately paired with them. Lois and Dad had an enduring love and respect for each other and Lois’s heart was broken when he died in 2006.
Lois found spiritual solace in the Unitarian Universalist faith and comfort in Jewish traditions. Lois generously lent her support to many social justice and political causes. Some of Lois’s friendships lasted over 70 years and her friends valued her wisdom and her forthrightness of opinion. While she referred to herself as our “evil stepmother,” in reality she was loving, caring, kind and generous.
Lois’s survivors include thousands of students, hundreds of friends and dozens of relatives: cousins Patrick Hulls, John, Paul and Robert Nee (Celia Martins), Sandra, Mary, Colleen, Lorraine and Vivian Nee, Maryanne Sprungman (Bob Sprungman), Steve, Rick, and Cathy Leonard (David Harron), stepchildren Linda Gilbert (Tom Romano), David Gilbert (Kimi Masui), and Susan Kay Gilbert, sister-in-law Helen Mautner, niece Julie Mautner, stepdaughterin-law, Carol Gilbert, step grandchildren Andy, Cindy and Amy Gilbert. Lois is pre-deceased by her parents, her husband Stanley H. Gilbert, her stepson Mark Gilbert and noted labor and civil rights lawyer cousin Norman Leonard.
We are grateful for the wonderful care Lois received from the Spring Lake Village nursing staff, Dr. Timothy Gieseke, Memorial Hospice and At Home Nursing. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of either Santa Rosa or Berkeley in Kensington, or Memorial Hospice of Santa Rosa. A celebration of Lois’s life will take place in the future. Inquiries regarding this may be sent to loisjeanglavinsgilbert@gmail.com.