Evelyn Gilbert

Evelyn M. Gilbert, 91, of Lecanto, Florida, passed away on Monday, May 13, 2019 at the Health Center at Brentwood in Lecanto.  She was born on April 27, 1928 in Elmira, New York, daughter of the late Floyd and Eleanor VanSteenburg.

Mrs. Gilbert lived in Rochester, New York for many years.  She worked at D.C. Turner Co. making bellows for cameras.  She was also employed at Bausch & Lomb where she made lenses for eye glasses.  She relocated to Olean, New York and later, in 2013, she moved to Lecanto, Florida with her daughter and son-in-law.

Evelyn enjoyed doing ceramics, growing plants and reading.  She also liked making custom greeting cards to give to friends and family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, Merle Thomas and Henry Gilbert, grandson, Anthony Melino, brother, Clarence VanSteenburg and brothers-in-law, Raymond Dassero and James Schiffhauer.  Survivors include her four children, Linda K. Petrucelli (Richard) of Irondequoit, NY; Randy S. Thomas (Susan) of Rochester, NY; David E. Thomas (Penny) of AZ; and Sandra D. Pettengill (David) of Lecanto, FL; step-son, Larry Gilbert of Hilton, NY; and her grandchildren, Heather Melino Anderson, Necia Petrucelli Durgan, Tahnee Thomas and David E. Thomas, Jr.; and several step-grandchildren and great grandchildren. Also left behind are four sisters, Helen Dassero; Betty Steeb (Richard); Edna Refert; and Phyllis Schiffhauer, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Graveside Services for Mrs. Gilbert will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, June 22, 2019 at Leicester Cemetery, Leicester, NY.   Reverend David Ritz will officiate.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, June 23, 2019 from 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM, at Guiseppe’s Restaurant, 50 Spencerport Road, Rochester, NY.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association, 2700 Chestnut Street, Chester, PA  19013.

She will always be with us in our hearts.  We love you.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.heinzfh.com or at www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com.