Gilberta Mathilde Carion's Obituary
Gilberta Mathilde Carion, age 90, of St. Clair and Chesterfield, passed away with her family by her side.
She was predeceased by her parents, Alfonse and Jeanne, beloved husband of 64 years, Bob, daughter, Barbara, grandson, Kelsey, brother, Joe, and best friend, Lois.
She is survived by her children, Cathy (Rob) Fielitz, Sue (Kim) Hunt, Barb (Don) Ranoni, Judy (Chris) Simpson, Eileen (Gary) Jakubiak, Brian (Kellie) Carion, Patsy (Bill) Kost, and Joe (MaryBeth) Carion. She will truly be missed by her 20 grandchildren and 6 great grandsons, with one more arriving in September.
Gil earned her Registered Nursing degree from Henry Ford Hospital School of Nursing in 1951. She was a very proud, strong, American Red Cross Nurse working in several local hospitals, working also as a scrub/office nurse from 1953-56. Her path changed when her first child arrived in 1956. She then worked part time while attending to her 8 young children. As her children grew older, she returned to nursing at Bon Secour Hospital where she was introduced to and changed careers to become a surgical scrub nurse for Dr. Howard Joondeph.
Her ultimate calling was her family. She taught her children to cook, bake, clean, can fresh fruits and vegetables and be independent. She could serve a seven-course meal for 50 people without blinking an eye. She loved camping, playing cards, sewing, and being with friends that she deemed family. Volunteering came very natural to her. If you needed anything, Gil was the person to ask. She was a eucharistic minister at each church that she was a member of, Treasurer of the St. Vincent De Paul at St. Clare of Montefalco Church and a lector at St. Mary’s Church until she stepped down from the Church at the age of 85. She was a Girl Scout leader to all 6 of her daughters plus a troop organizer, committee member, registrar, and neighborhood co-chairman. Gil was a two time Certificate of Merit Award winner from the Grosse Pointe School System, Mother of the Year for the PTO in 1976, local hospital volunteer in the x-ray and record departments and a school nurse at Maire, Pierce and GP South Schools while her children attended class. Later in life she enjoyed being a member of the Daughters of Isabella Association, the Red Hat Society, the Better Breathers Club, the Travelling Friends Group and the Quilting Club at the Washington Life Center – Council on Aging.
Gil will always be remembered for her sharp wit, excellent card playing skills and always being ready to host family and friends at her home. The legacy she and Bob built together will forever be cherished.
The family would like to acknowledge the excellent care our mother received from the wonderful staff at StoryPoint of Chesterfield and from McLaren Hospital Hospice. The devoted workers were amazingly kind and cared for our mother as if she were their own.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the Washington Life Center - Council on Aging, 403 N. Mary Street, Marine City, MI, 48039.
Final inurnment for both Gil and Bob will be at St. Paul’s on the Lake Catholic Church in Grosse Pointe, Michigan at a future date.
Arrangements made by Young Funeral Home, China Township.
What’s your fondest memory of Gilberta?
What’s a lesson you learned from Gilberta?
Share a story where Gilberta's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Gilberta you’ll never forget.
How did Gilberta make you smile?