LEWISTON — Regina “Jean” Gilbert, 81, of Auburn died Thursday, Feb. 16, at Marshwood Nursing Home following a long illness.

She was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Dec. 7, 1930, the daughter of Frank and Elizabeth Hennigis. She grew and attended schools in Pennsylvania, and was a graduate of Kingston High Shool.

She lived for many years in College Park, Md., and worked in Greenbelt, Md., for many years at NASA and later in Washington, D.C., for the Environmental Protection Agency.

She moved to Maine to marry her husband, Leon, May 31, 1978, where together they owned and operated Gilbert Studios in Auburn and was also a Mary Kay consultant.

She was a member of the Beta Sigma Sorority in Auburn, where she made many lifelong friends.

Jean was an avid golfer who enjoyed playing with her husband and belong to the Ladies League at Prospect Hill Golf Course in Auburn. She also loved going sailing with her husband on Lake Auburn, where they spent many good times together. She was a volunteer grief counselor at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center for several years.

She is survived by her loving husband, Leon “Lee” Gilbert of Auburn; her stepchildren, Debbie Leake of Oklahoma, Diana and her husband, John Nelson, of Texas, and Steven Gilbert of Lewiston; many stepgrandchildren; her nephew, Michael Walsh of Massachusetts; and her many dear friends throughout the country.

She was predeceased by her parents; her sister, Betty Walsh; and her brother, Frank Hennigis.

Copy the Story Link