SUSAN GILBERT

1940 - 2021

GILBERT--Susan O. Susan O. Gilbert, 81, of Washington, D.C., died on Tuesday, July 20, 2021. Susan dedicated her career to ensuring that equal job opportunities were available to all citizens, with a focus on diverse and underserved communities. Born in Queens, New York, she received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin and a Master's Degree from the University of London. Susan enjoyed a long career in public service in the District of Columbia (D.C.). She was instrumental in the success of the Reading is Fundamental program to increase childhood literacy. She served as the Director of Wider Opportunities for Women, an organization that works to promote economic independence and long-term self-sufficiency for women. She worked for the D.C. government from 1981-2011, for the Department of Employee Services (DOES) focusing on employment opportunities for D.C. residents. At the DOES, she spearheaded initiatives on employment on major economic development projects such as the Washington Convention Center, the Verizon Center, and the Washington Nationals Stadium. She was appointed Interim Director of the agency in 2007. An adventurous woman, Susan seized opportunities to discover the world around her. She loved to travel and especially cherished the year she and her family spent in Southern France, and the lifelong friendships she formed abroad. In her later years, she and her sister traveled together, most notably to visit their mother's birthplace in Vitebsk, Belarus. Susan enjoyed the performing arts, museums, restaurants, baseball, reading, politics, and time with her family and friends. Susan is survived by her sister Carol Buchalter, her former husband James Gilbert, her children Jenny and Simone Gilbert, and her grandson Jack Egan. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at a later date. Memorial gifts can be made in Susan's name to the Kennedy Center at https://www.kennedy-center org/Support/memorial-gift/