Joan Ruth (Morrison) Gilbert departed this earth passing peacefully surrounded with the love of her family, receiving back a portion of the love she so graciously gave throughout her life. She was born in Maplewood, NJ, the daughter of Thomas Mason and Helen Estelle (Lukeman) Morrison. Joan grew up in Maplewood, New Jersey and spent many summers on Point Pleasant Beach with her now deceased siblings Tom, Helen, Marion, Ann, and her twin sister Jane. She was a Columbia High School graduate, Class of 1948.

On September 15,1951 she married George M. Gilbert Jr. of West Orange, NJ, an Army Air Corp Veteran of WW11. They started their family in NJ and moved to Portland, CT in January of 1962. Together, George and Joan raised a family of 10 boys and 1 girl, including 3 sets of twins. She leaves behind her eleven children and their spouses, George M. Gilbert III and his wife Carol, Stephen Gilbert and his wife Christine, Reverand Francis Gilbert, Charles Gilbert, John Gilbert, Joseph Gilbert and his wife Molly, Andrew Gilbert and his wife Maria, David Gilbert and his wife Teresa, Patricia Lynch and her husband Tony, Patrick Gilbert and his wife Tina, and Mark Gilbert and his wife Deneen, along with 20 Grand Children and their spouses, and 25 Great Grand Children. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews of the Morrison, Hannon, Albertson, and Ringel families. She is predeceased by her husband George M. Gilbert, daughters-in-law Donna and Joanne, granddaughter Jennifer and Great Grandson Hudson.

In addition to raising her family, Joan worked for the Middlesex Convalescent Home, the YMCA of Middletown CT, and the Town of Portland as Executive Secretary to the First Selectman, retiring after 21 years. She had a soft nature, that cared for others.

Joan was a devout Catholic who was an active member of St Mary's Church of Portland for over 60 years. She enjoyed volunteering her time whenever she could.

Joan and George both valued education and made sacrifices to allow all 10 boys to attend Xavier High School and their daughter to attend Mercy High School. Many grandchildren and great-grandchildren continued with this tradition.

Our family is indebted for the wonderful care provided by Joan's daughter Patricia Lynch along with Sara Davis, Maureen McCullough, Ginger Garrison, granddaughter Grace Gilbert and daughters-in-law Molly and Teresa Gilbert who gave beautiful love and care in the most difficult days of her life. We would also like to thank the Middlesex Hospice group for their guidance throughout this period.

Her Funeral Liturgy will be held on Monday November 25th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary Church in Portland. Visitation will be held on Sunday November 24th from 4 to 7 p.m. at Biega Funeral Home, 3 Silver St., Middletown. Burial in St. Mary Cemetery, Portland will be at the convenience of her family.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Portland's Church of Saint Mary, Middlesex Hospice,  Xavier or Mercy High Schools, or the Portland Food Bank. To share memories or express condolences online please visit www.biegafuneralhome.com.