Marion Gilbert

Marion Gilbert, 89, formerly of Lincoln, passed away peacefully on February 11 at the home of her daughter in Narragansett. She was the adored mother of Alicia Gilbert of Lincoln and Narragansett, Angela Gilbert Weber of San Francisco and Narragansett, and Jeffrey D. Gilbert and his wife Miki of Tokyo, Japan. She was predeceased by her son James F. Gilbert Jr. of Kuwait. Marion was the daughter of the late Arthur Davis Marcotte and the late Marion (Bradley) Marcotte. She was raised in Lincoln and graduated from the Mary C. Wheeler School in 1947. She spent happy hours in her youth swimming, canoeing, and figure skating on Scotts Pond. She also developed a lifelong interest in horseback riding, galloping gaily along the bridle paths of Lincoln Woods and later keeping horses at her farm residence. When a young woman, her renowned beauty soon drew a steady stream of photographers, suitors, and even a Hollywood talent scout; however, her parents disapproved. She went on to be married in 1950 to the late James F. Gilbert in the first wedding ceremony in the original St. Judes Church in Lincoln. She placed central importance on the raising of her children, instilling in them her own curiosity about the world, empathy, strong moral and ethical principles, and a drive to excel. Her values endure in her childrens lives, akin to her having lived a life of 250 years, not just 89. Marion had artistic talent, rooted in an innate appreciation of color and textures, and had a particular interest in the decorative arts. She was a watercolorist, and was known for having exceptional taste, an increasingly lost art. Sometimes a contrarian, Marion was a colorful, independent-minded figure in the Lime Rock section of Lincoln, speaking out on issues of importance to the community. She was an early adopter of a healthy lifestyle, typically eating organic foods decades before the norm. In the 1970s and beyond, she was often seen race walking in Lincoln Woods for daily laps around the park. Still, she occasionally indulged in homemade ice cream as if she were in a speed-eating contest. Later-in-life pleasures were varied toohappy to be ensconced in her den reading a mystery or watching Masterpiece Theatre, or buzzing around in a bright yellow sports car like a bumblebee pollinating flowers. Marion was a parishioner of St Judes Church and a seasonal parishioner of St Thomas More Church in Narragansett during the 1960s and 1970s. She was a member of The Dunes Club in Narragansett since 1963. Also surviving her are granddaughters Angela S. Weber and Paige A. Weber, both of New York City. She was predeceased by siblings Leroy Marcotte, Arlene Masse and Raymond Marcotte. A private mass was held at St Thomas More on February 22 and a celebration of her life will take place in late summer. Marions tireless personality has been described as the first peacetime use of nuclear energy. Those who knew her will miss this and much more. For condolences go to Feb 11 obituaries at www.averystortifuneralhome.com