Kathryn Ruth Gilbert

Kathryn Ruth Gilbert (née Goodearle), 78, went home to Jesus, passing away peacefully at The Oaks in Stockbridge, Georgia on February 16, 2026. She is predeceased by her beloved husband of 59 years, Gordon Donald Gilbert.

Kathy was born on February 21, 1947 to Stuart and Julia Goodearle (Weege) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She graduated from Washington High School and continued her education at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh where, at a freshman mixer, she met her beloved husband Gordy. They married in 1966 and relocated to Shirley, Massachusetts where they lived from 1966-1970, during Gordy's service in the US Army. Two daughters later, the family returned to Wisconsin, and besides being a resourceful homemaker, Kathy worked as a writer and reporter for the Dodge County Pionier.

As a homemaker, Kathy raised her daughters to be strong and independent, sharing her expertise in important life skills like gardening, sewing, financial planning, perseverance in the face of adversity, and loving fiercely and loyally. In both Wisconsin and Oklahoma, she served as a Girl Scout troop leader, modeling its mission to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place.

In 1978, Gordy's professional opportunities brought the family to Broken Arrow, Oklahoma where Kathy's career aspirations blossomed at Metropolitan Life Insurance. There, she worked her way up through the ranks from Trainer to Health Insurance Underwriter. Gordy's career opportunities took them next to Dothan, Alabama and finally to Stockbridge, Georgia where they spent the last 25 years and happiest chapter of their lives together.

In Stockbridge, Kathy found avenues to cultivate her leadership gifts and thrived in community service roles as a passionate advocate for a diverse range of community enrichment causes including racial diversity, children's literacy, and the performing arts. Kathy served on the Henry County Public Library Board of Trustees, Speedway Children's Charities Board of Directors, President of the Windsong Plantation Neighborhood Association and as a Councilwoman on the Stockbridge City Council. Kathy was always looking for ways to help and was deeply engaged in the Stockbridge community tirelessly doing all she could to find ways to make things better. She was always willing to roll up her sleeves and get to work. She loved her community and she loved people.

Kathy found her faith home at Grace Summit Church with Pastor Chris Vaughn, in Stockbridge where her vivaciousness was embraced and celebrated by cherished brothers and sisters in Christ.

Despite all the community service, family was the most important thing in Kathy's life. Whether it was curating legacy recipes, sharing a meal with family in Wisconsin, cruising the Caribbean with Amy and Phil, or traveling to Rochester, NY for Rebecca's performances, birthday celebrations, and Christmas with her adoring grandsons, Kathy was happiest when she was surrounded by the love and laughter of family.

Kathy is survived by her daughters Rebecca Gilbert (Gavin Rigg) of Rochester, NY and Amy Gilbert Richardson (Phil Richardson) of Birmingham, AL/Milwaukee, WI and grandsons Julian and Malcolm Gilbert-Rigg of Rochester, NY and beloved nieces and nephews still residing in her home state of Wisconsin.

The final resting place for Gordon and Kathryn will be at Fish Lake Wisconsin. We ask Henry County friends to please join us for a Celebration of Life for Kathryn and Gordon on Thursday, February 19 @ 3:00pm, 2026 at Cannon Cleveland Funeral Home, 2580 GA-42, McDonough, GA 30253

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one the following organizations that benefitted from Kathy's passionate advocacy: The River Refuge- Malachi Project (TheRiverRefuge.org), A Friends House (afriendshouse.org), or Hands of Hope Clinic (handsofhopeclinic.org).