Jean C. (McRae) Gilbert

Jean Carole Gilbert passed away Monday, October 11, 2021 following complications from a stroke she suffered in August. Jean was born April 2, 1940 to Alexander (Bill) and Edna McRae in Cut Bank. Jean met her husband Jarden when he moved to Montana to work on the oil rigs. They were married on January 22, 1957 in Cut Bank. They lived in Arkansas a short time after they were married but returned to Cut Bank. Together they had five children, Eddie, Joanne, Mark, Dean and Dave. Jean was a homemaker and always made home cooked meals, many that included fresh bread.

Jean enjoyed sewing clothing for herself and her family. She also shared her knowledge and helped the Girl Scouts learn sewing skills. Jean was also a Cub Scout leader for several years. She took pride in growing a beautiful flower garden. Many summer days, she could be found in her front yard tending to her flowers. They had many pets over the years, and Jean especially loved the companionship of the family dogs. The family also has fond memories of the family loading up in the car and going to picnic in Glacier National Park. Her strength and endurance as a mother was put to the test. Mark was in a serious car accident in 1978, Eddie took his own life in 1979 and a short six months later Dean also died, in a car accident. One can only imagine the extent of her broken heart. She carried on with the help of her faith, wine, cheesecake and the love of and for her family. Jean later went to work at the Point Drive Inn and enjoyed visiting and serving the customers. She especially enjoyed the camaraderie with her bosses/co-workers, Connie and Angie. I think the friendships she formed and the fun she had at work helped to heal her broken heart.

Jean’s spirits were further boosted when she confirmed her faith and joined the Catholic Church in 2005. Prayer and meditation seemed to bring her some peace of mind. Health issues later slowed Jean down, but she loved her family and enjoyed sitting and visiting with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. As her health deteriorated, David was a loving caretaker for his mom. It brings us peace knowing that Jean is no longer in pain. It’s easy to imagine that she is enjoying all of the amazing variety of flowers in the Garden while Jarden and she reunite and make up for lost time with their sons.

Jean is survived by her daughter, Joanne Gilbert; sons, Mark (Nancy) Gilbert and David Gilbert; grandchildren, Jennifer (Mike) Way, Courtney (Andrew) Hanson, and Nicholas Gilbert; greatgrandchildren, Abby Oswald, Isabella and Haylee Wenzl and Russell, Grant and Drew Hanson; brothers, Richard (Lindy) McRae and Robert (Jean) McRae; numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her mother and father; brother, Ronnie McRae; a nephew; her husband, Jarden Gilbert, and her beloved sons, Edward Jarden Gilbert and Carl Dean Gilbert.

Jean was loved and will be missed by many.