AYER, Mass. – Ruth Arlene Gilbert, 81, of Ayer, Mass. and formerly of Bethel, died June 17, at the Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer Mass.

She was born in Bethel on Oct. 10, 1924, the daughter of Allan and Doris (Moore) Walker. She was educated in local schools and graduated from Gould Academy in 1942, and attended Central Maine General School of Nursing. She had worked at Newton & Tibbets Dowell Mill for many years; she enjoyed needlework, cooking and sewing.

She was married to Arthur Gilbert on Aug. 12, 1945 at the West Bethel Union Church (it was the first wedding performed in the church).

She was a member of the West Bethel Union Church, the Chapel Aid Society, Pleasant Valley Grange, Mt. Abram Fish and Game Association and the Mundt-Allen American Legion Auxiliary.

She is survived by three daughters, Sheila Head of West Bethel, Rowena Stowell and her husband, Jonathan, of Shirley, Mass. and Roberta Norton and her husband, Kevin, of Madrid; five grandchildren, Jane Rottari of New Gloucester, Marietta Charis of Northbridge, Mass., Melanie Stowell of Bedford, N.H., Nathan Stowell of Shirley, Mass. and Casandra Perez of Savannah, Ga.; and three great-grandchildren, Leah Rottari, Olivia Rottari and Josiah Rottari, all of New Gloucester.

She was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Arthur Gilbert; and a son-in-law, Arthur Head.