Obituary of Patricia Gilbert

Patricia Mary Gilbert, age 81, passed away the evening of March 30th, 2022 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Riverview, Florida. She was born December 8, 1940 in Paterson, New Jersey to her parents, Catherine and Joseph Reilly. While growing up, Patricia, who preferred Pat, was the local tomboy, enjoyed everything outdoors and horsing around with her brothers. After completing secretarial school, Pat first worked as a secretary and throughout her life also worked as a restaurant manager, ran her own hospitality business and made a number of life-long friends at Clover. Pat, affectionately known as “Aunt Pat” by all of her nieces and nephews, was loved by all and considered the heart of her family. Over the years, she lived in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Virginia and finally retired in Ruskin, Florida. Much to her sons’ daily annoyance, Pat had a lifelong love of classic country music. Her interests also included: going to the beach, antiquing, road trips with her girlfriends, helping the family keep up with one another, dancing, attending concerts, gardening as well as spoiling her beloved and overly furry dogs.

Patricia is survived by her husband William Gilbert (Ruskin, FL), two siblings, Michael Reilly (Washington, D.C.), Lawrence Hoppe (Bedford, New Hampshire) sons Jeffrey Swierstra (Maple Shade, New Jersey), William Gilbert (Richmond, Virginia), and her many nieces and nephews who regarded her as a second mother.

We invite her family, friends and others to join us in a celebration of Patricia’s life and her place in our hearts at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, (106 11th Avenue NE, Ruskin, Florida 33570) on Friday April 8,2022 starting at 9:00 AM and ending around 12 PM. Services consist of a viewing followed by a Catholic mass. In lieu of flowers, Patricia’s family requests donations be made to a charity, preferably the American Heart Association or SPCA