Obituary for Isabella Margaret Gilbert (Monilaws)
Isabella Margaret Gilbert (nee: Monilaws)
October 21, 1932 – October 16, 2020
It is with overwhelming sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Isabella Gilbert, (Bella), our mother, grandmother, nana, aunt and friend. She left us to go to her eternal home, surrounded by those she loved.
Bella will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Margaret (Dale); son, Bill; her wonderful grandchildren, Robert, Andrew, Kate (Chris), and James; her treasured great grandchildren, Paige, Eric and Amber; special friend, Fiona; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Bella was predeceased by her husband of 54 years and love of her life, Bob; her dear daughter, Patricia; her parents, all her siblings, and her best friend, Lynn.
Bella was a wonderful loving mother, grandma, nana, aunt and friend. Mom loved to bake and took joy in teaching her skills to many of the neighborhood children. As she grew older, she was known to many as ‘Baking Bella’, for her many delicious cookies.
Bella was born and raised in Calgary and lived on 20th Avenue and 1st Street Northwest. She attended Balmoral school and then Western High. Bella and her school friends kept in touch with many teas, lunches, and some dinners. Bella and her grade five schoolteacher were still in touch via telephone.
Bella met Bob, the love of her life in Calgary, and when they married in 1955, she ventured a whole four blocks, where they bought a house on 24th Avenue and 2nd Street Northwest. She was extremely proud of being a Calgarian, especially a Northill Calgarian. She lived on her beloved Northill until two years ago when she moved closer to her daughter.
Over her life she was involved in many things, from the Church to PTA to baseball, all involving her children. Bella and Bob would do neighborhood campfires with hotdogs and marshmallows and some weekends and on others they would have popcorn. She always knew where her children were, “safe at home”. Bella was very, very giving with her love and time, one year, she bought snowsuits for the children in her church. Still, many years later, many now with children of their own, remember her kindness, love and the snowsuits. She has met many of their children.
Bella’s children were blessings in her life, but her grandchildren were even more special. She spent many hours with them, helping them read, watching them play sports, feeding them lunches, making dinners and cookies for them, and their friends, attending school events, and sports events. She was always there to give her love, guidance and support, especially in times of need.
Bella’s world was once again filled with delight when she became a Nana to not only one, but three amazing great grandchildren. Nana built a loving, very important relationship with them all and they spent many loving hours with her at parties, dinners, lunches, and on telephone calls, Once they moved away, Nana spent many, many hours over Facetime and video calls with her great grandchildren, where she would always ask about their school days and listen to everything they had to say about their life and accomplishments at school, doing their martial arts, gymnastics and video games and programming. She was thrilled to hear these things and she felt very loved and close to them, even though they were miles and miles apart.
“WE LOVE YOU NANA BELLA! HUGS!” Paige, Eric and Amber
Bella volunteered at MP Diane Ablonczy’s office and read with students at Brentwood Elementary school. In her free time, she liked to listen to music, watch the Gospel hour and play cards with her friends. She often provided fresh baked cookies and devilled eggs to those involved her many activities.
More recently, Bella enjoyed going to her Club 36 program, where she socialized, played games and still did some baking. When the world changed, she took up doing word searches.
As her Earthly life has come to an end, and she begins her journey forward, pain-free and in everlasting love, the family would like to thank her church family, for loving her and keeping in touch through the difficult situation we are facing; the Club 36 staff for their continued involvement with Bella through calls, the treats and Facetimes. We would also like to thank Homecare case manager Kristy, OT Michelle and SW Michelle for their help, and putting services in place; and all the CBI homecare gals who spent many hours at her home. Without all the kindness, caring, love and help, the family would not have been able to keep her at home, surrounded by those who loved her the most, as long as we did. Thank you for making her final journey on her path of life, a happy, love filled one.
There will be a Private Visitation on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. A Memorial Service will be held in late spring of 2021, with details to follow at a later time.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bella’s memory to to The Samaritans Club of Calgary, Attn: Treasurer or via mail to: The Samaritans Club of Calgary (Attn: Treasurer), 304 Varsity Estate Grove NW, Calgary, AB, T3B 4M7.
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Bella, please visit www.choicememorial.com.
October 21, 1932 – October 16, 2020
It is with overwhelming sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Isabella Gilbert, (Bella), our mother, grandmother, nana, aunt and friend. She left us to go to her eternal home, surrounded by those she loved.
Bella will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Margaret (Dale); son, Bill; her wonderful grandchildren, Robert, Andrew, Kate (Chris), and James; her treasured great grandchildren, Paige, Eric and Amber; special friend, Fiona; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Bella was predeceased by her husband of 54 years and love of her life, Bob; her dear daughter, Patricia; her parents, all her siblings, and her best friend, Lynn.
Bella was a wonderful loving mother, grandma, nana, aunt and friend. Mom loved to bake and took joy in teaching her skills to many of the neighborhood children. As she grew older, she was known to many as ‘Baking Bella’, for her many delicious cookies.
Bella was born and raised in Calgary and lived on 20th Avenue and 1st Street Northwest. She attended Balmoral school and then Western High. Bella and her school friends kept in touch with many teas, lunches, and some dinners. Bella and her grade five schoolteacher were still in touch via telephone.
Bella met Bob, the love of her life in Calgary, and when they married in 1955, she ventured a whole four blocks, where they bought a house on 24th Avenue and 2nd Street Northwest. She was extremely proud of being a Calgarian, especially a Northill Calgarian. She lived on her beloved Northill until two years ago when she moved closer to her daughter.
Over her life she was involved in many things, from the Church to PTA to baseball, all involving her children. Bella and Bob would do neighborhood campfires with hotdogs and marshmallows and some weekends and on others they would have popcorn. She always knew where her children were, “safe at home”. Bella was very, very giving with her love and time, one year, she bought snowsuits for the children in her church. Still, many years later, many now with children of their own, remember her kindness, love and the snowsuits. She has met many of their children.
Bella’s children were blessings in her life, but her grandchildren were even more special. She spent many hours with them, helping them read, watching them play sports, feeding them lunches, making dinners and cookies for them, and their friends, attending school events, and sports events. She was always there to give her love, guidance and support, especially in times of need.
Bella’s world was once again filled with delight when she became a Nana to not only one, but three amazing great grandchildren. Nana built a loving, very important relationship with them all and they spent many loving hours with her at parties, dinners, lunches, and on telephone calls, Once they moved away, Nana spent many, many hours over Facetime and video calls with her great grandchildren, where she would always ask about their school days and listen to everything they had to say about their life and accomplishments at school, doing their martial arts, gymnastics and video games and programming. She was thrilled to hear these things and she felt very loved and close to them, even though they were miles and miles apart.
“WE LOVE YOU NANA BELLA! HUGS!” Paige, Eric and Amber
Bella volunteered at MP Diane Ablonczy’s office and read with students at Brentwood Elementary school. In her free time, she liked to listen to music, watch the Gospel hour and play cards with her friends. She often provided fresh baked cookies and devilled eggs to those involved her many activities.
More recently, Bella enjoyed going to her Club 36 program, where she socialized, played games and still did some baking. When the world changed, she took up doing word searches.
As her Earthly life has come to an end, and she begins her journey forward, pain-free and in everlasting love, the family would like to thank her church family, for loving her and keeping in touch through the difficult situation we are facing; the Club 36 staff for their continued involvement with Bella through calls, the treats and Facetimes. We would also like to thank Homecare case manager Kristy, OT Michelle and SW Michelle for their help, and putting services in place; and all the CBI homecare gals who spent many hours at her home. Without all the kindness, caring, love and help, the family would not have been able to keep her at home, surrounded by those who loved her the most, as long as we did. Thank you for making her final journey on her path of life, a happy, love filled one.
There will be a Private Visitation on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. A Memorial Service will be held in late spring of 2021, with details to follow at a later time.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bella’s memory to to The Samaritans Club of Calgary, Attn: Treasurer or via mail to: The Samaritans Club of Calgary (Attn: Treasurer), 304 Varsity Estate Grove NW, Calgary, AB, T3B 4M7.
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Bella, please visit www.choicememorial.com.