Doris Faye Wilder Gilbaugh

1924 - 2023

Doris Faye Wilder Gilbaugh,99, of Los Gatos, CA entered peacefully into God's kingdom on March 22, 2023, while surrounded by her children. She was born in Tonkawa, OK on February 24, 1924 to Mark Albert and Okie May (Shute) Wilder and was the beloved wife of the late John W. Gilbaugh.A member of the "Greatest Generation" Doris was a survivor —sharp, spirited and engaging till her last days. Growing up in the depression, she lived in Dodge City, KS during the height of the Dust Bowl. She graduated from Mound Valley, KS High School in 1941. Three weeks after Pearl Harbor was bombed, she married her life-long love, John Gilbaugh on New Years Eve — their marriage union lasted nearly 50 years until his death in 1991. Doris graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in English in 1956 when she had two small children and another one on the way. She taught elementary school for many years.Doris and John moved to the Bay Area in 1956 and raised their five children in Saratoga. A musically-gifted soprano, Doris insisted that all of her children study piano and instilled a love of music in the family. She was an incomparable hostess, welcoming friends and family into her home at every possible holiday (including epic Easter Egg hunts) and was steadfast in acknowledging special occasions with greeting cards and notes. In her later years, she learned how to use email to stay connected to her extended family. Her friends and family responded in kind, always enjoying those lively conversations. She remained a compassionate listener and matriarch till her death. Doris had a deep faith that sustained her throughout her life. She played an active role in her church communities — as a Deacon, choir member, Bible Study Fellowship leader and Sunday School teacher.In addition to her husband and parents, Doris was preceded in death by her sister Irene Sperry and her daughter Jane Gilbaugh Miller. She is survived by her sister JoAnn Howell, of Midwest City, OK. She is also survived by four children: Bruce (Kathy) Gilbaugh, of Yelm, WA; Susan (Raymond) Triplett, of Monte Sereno, CA; Nancy (Gary) Edwards, of Morgan Hill, CA; and Carol (Richard) Moran, of Tiburon, CA. She is survived by 10 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. A private memorial and burial has been held. Donations in her memory may be made in her name to Second Harvest Food Bank.