LaVerne E. Gilbert

May 09, 1929 - February 10, 2017

LaVerne E. Gilbert Obituary She was born May 9, 1929, in Columbus, MT transitioned to her next life on February 10, 2017 after a period of illness with dementia and cancer. She was one of seven children born to Gail and Anna Kinyon. Most of her school age years were spent near Bozeman, MT with a few years near St. Joseph, MO. She married Arthur J. Gilbert on October 18, 1947 and had three children; Cathy, John and Barbara. They lived in Odessa, WA for 22 years before moving to Spokane in 1977. LaVerne was a Certified Medical Assistant and worked in the health care industry for more than thirty years. As Clinic Manager in Odessa, she worked for local doctors and was well known as the right-hand person for her tireless efforts both in the clinic and at the hospital working alongside both local and visiting doctors as a surgical assistant. She sat many long nights with expectant mothers monitoring and comforting them until it was time to assist the doctor with the delivery. When she and Art moved to Spokane in the fall of 1977, she worked at Sacred Heart Hospital in Accounts Payable, Rockwood Clinic as a Certified Medical Assistant and Indian Health Services Clinic as a Medical Assistant and Office Manager. As members of the founding committee of the Odessa Historical Society, Art and LaVerne spent countless hours bringing the museum to fruition. She will be remembered by family and friends for her huge feasts at holidays and family reunions and her welcoming nature with a ready bed or a good meal for visiting folks or those just passing through. LaVernes loving medical care went beyond the clinic or hospital. She cared for Art, her parents, Arts parents and other relatives in the last months of their lives. Because of her selfless dedication to others, her own children arranged their lives to give her the gift of staying in her own home these last four months of her life. Her husband of 59 years, Arthur J. Gilbert predeceased her in November, 2006, along with sisters, Dorothy (Dwane) Gilbert, Nellie Mae (Dean) Maloney, Gertrude (Roy) Newman and brothers, Charles Kinyon, Burton (Etta) Kinyon, as well as, son-in-law, Clarke Schlimmer. She is survived by her 93 year old brother, Harold Kinyon of Bozeman, MT, his wife, Eleanor, and her sister-in-law, Molly Kinyon (Charles) of Independence, OR. Surviving her are all of her adult children, Cathy Gilbert-Silva and Lawrence Silva from Delaplane, VA, John and Bonnie Gilbert from San Felipe, Mexico and Barbara Schlimmer of Odessa, WA. She is survived by four grandchildren; Trevor Silva of Nashville, TN, Monica (Gilbert) Wallace of Ferndale, WA, Matthew Gilbert of South Prarrie, WA and Micah Gilbert of Lakeside, CO She leaves eight great-grandchildren; David and Dustin Wallace of Ferndale, WA, Katie, Jonathon and Nathaniel Gilbert of South Prarrie, WA and Donovan, Katrina and Miriam Gilbert of Hesperia, CA. A private inurnment will be held at a later date at Fairmont Memorial Park, Spokane, WA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the charities listed below or, feel free to select a favorite charity. Hospice of Spokane, 121 S. Arthur St., PO Box 2215, Spokane, WA 99210 Odessa Historical Society, 2941 N. King Ranch Road, Odessa, WA 99159 99 Plus 1 Ministries, 233 Paulin Avenue #5558, Calexico, CA 92231 � To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of LaVerne, please visit our Tree Store. Read more Events FEB 10