Elizabeth Beth Jones Gilson

1938 - 2016

GILSON Elizabeth Beth Jones Gilson died May 26, 2016 of pancreatic cancer in Atlantic Beach, Florida. She was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Warren Edwin Ed Gilson Jr., in 2002 and by her parents, Donald P. Jones and Ethel G. Jones, of Media, Pennsylvania. Born May 21, 1938, Beth grew up in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, graduating from Swarthmore High School in 1956. She attended Bates College in Lewiston, Maine where she met her husband, Ed Gilson. Married February 7, 1959, Beth and Ed moved around the country first with the Marine Corps and then with Ed's job in the insurance business (places they called home include Quantico, Virginia, Oceanside, California, Springfield, Massachusetts, Livingston, New Jersey, Lisle, Illinois, Lilburn, Georgia, Dallas, Texas, and Jacksonville, Florida). Beth and Ed moved to Jacksonville, Florida in 1986 where they made wonderful friends. Beth was a remarkable homemaker, talented singer (singing in her Church choir most of her life), pianist, seamstress, and all-around craftswoman. She loved playing card and table games and was a Master Bridge player. Among other things she was a Cub Scout and Brownie leader, softball coach, and head cheerleader for all of her family's activities. She was athletic and enjoyed playing tennis and golf most of her adult life. Beth played on undefeated high school lacrosse and field hockey teams. Beth loved dogs. She easily made friends and cherished many lifelong friends throughout the country. Her favorite place on earth was Sebec Lake, Maine where she loved growing up spending summers at the lake. She continued many family traditions in Maine with her children and grandchildren. Her spunk, determination and positive attitude impacted all who knew her. Beth was a devoted wife, loving mother and wonderful Gigi. She is survived by her three children: James E. Gilson (Linda) of Peachtree Corners, Georgia; David J. Gilson (Linda) of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin; and Debra G. Wright (Prescott) of Sandwich Massachusetts; her ten grandchildren: Hope Elizabeth Wright, William Prescott Wright, Robert Jones Gilson, Michelle Lim Gilson, Jamie Marie Gilson, Camille Elizabeth Gilson, Christopher Edwin Gilson, Kevin Gilson Wright, Wyatt Edwin Gilson and Julia Hersey Wright; and her two brothers: Arthur W. Jones (Louise) of Wawa, Pennsylvania and Lawrence T. Jones (Kerry) of Neenah, Wisconsin. Beth had a kind loving spirit and was a bright shining light to family and friends. On Monday, June 27, 2016, at 10:30 a.m., a Celebration of Life will be held at Fleet Landing (Johnson Hall in Windward Commons), 1 Fleet Landing Boulevard, Atlantic Beach, Florida 32233. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - North Florida Chapter, 7899 Baymeadows Way, Suite 200, Jacksonville, Florida 32256.