GiLBERT FAMILIE

P.E.O. - Chapter AO

“Music is such an important part of my life,” said Johanna Gilbert, in an interview with the Grosse Pointe News, her hometown newspaper. “I love singing.”

Although she was a talented piano player, Gilbert’s true gift was her contralto voice - her range was supple enough to sing choral music, as well as lighter works such as show tunes, German lieder and semi-classical works.

Gilbert was initiated into P.E.O. (Philanthropic Education Organization) in 1977, and was a proud and active member of Chapter AO, Grosse Pointe, serving in many leadership positions including chapter president. P.E.O. is an international organization devoted to promoting educational opportunities for women.

The Gilbert family is pleased that their mother’s musical and P.E.O. legacy will live on through the important work of supporting women’s education. In honor of Johanna’s love of music, this annual $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to one college-bound graduating senior woman at Grosse Pointe South High School in Grosse Pointe, Michigan.

Tax-deductible donations can be made to the Johanna M. Gilbert Scholarship for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts via Venmo: @ChapterAO-PEO

2020 Winner: Elizabeth High, Williams College

2021 Winner: Anna Johnson, Cleveland Institute of Music

2022 Winner: Lilly Geer, University of Michigan

2023 Winner: Lillian (Lilly) Hunwick, University of Michigan

2024 Winner: Mikinzi Allen, Oberlin College

Former longtime Grosse Pointe resident Johanna Gilbert died Wednesday, May 22, 2019, at her home in Fort Worth, Texas, surrounded by her family.

She anchored her life in her faith, family, fellowship and of course, music.

“Music is such an important part of my life,” said Gilbert, in a Grosse Pointe News interview in the mid-1980s. “I love singing.”

After graduating at age 16 from Denby High School in 1949, Gilbert enrolled in Wayne State University, concentrating her studies in classical music theory including voice, piano and choir.

Although she was an enthusiastic piano player, Gilbert’s true gift was her contralto voice - perfect she said, “for songs of death, destruction and unrequited love” – but her range was supple and strong enough to sing librettos and choral music, as well as lighter works such as show tunes, German lieders and semi-classical works. She sang in English, German, French and Italian.

Early in her career, she performed with Valter Poole and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Later, Gilbert shared her love of music as a voice coach for students at both Grosse Pointe South and North High School, and as a longtime soloist for Sixth Church of Christ, Scientist in Detroit. She was a popular soloist throughout the metropolitan area performing at the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House (in a benefit for Cottey College), with the Grosse Pointe Symphony Orchestra, the Grosse Ile Music Club, the Detroit Review Club, and numerous other recitals, benefit concerts and programs.

In between performing and raising six children, Gilbert was active in music, theater and social organizations. She was a past president and life member of the Tuesday Musicale of Detroit, active in Theater Arts and Music Club, past president of PEO (Philanthropic Educational Organization that promotes women’s education), and president of the Grosse Pointe Farm and Garden Club.

She was a longtime member of Grosse Pointe Memorial Church, serving as a Stephen Minister, co-moderator of Presbyterian Women, a Sunday school teacher, LOGOS leader, and served on many councils and in other advisory and spiritual roles.

In the community, she was recognized as the host of “Johanna Gilbert Interviews” on Grosse Pointe Cable, which she co-produced with her husband, Ellwyn. She was also a contributor to the Grosse Pointe News, writing music reviews.

Big or small, no effort escaped Gilbert’s attention, and she reveled in being a Girl Scout Cadet leader, an “art mom” for the local schools, and a tireless cheerleader of her children’s and grandchildrens’ numerous sporting, academic and performing activities. She hosted yearly Advent gatherings in the family home for more than 25 years. She even cut a record of favorite songs at the old Fiddler’s Music studio on Mack Ave in Detroit. Throughout the years, Gilbert and her husband loved to travel, making numerous trips to her ancestral home of Germany.

Gilbert saw the best in others and had a kind word for all. She will be remembered as a dedicated correspondent, sending cards and letters that recognized special occasions and achievements – or just writing to stay in touch with her family and wide circle of friends.  She was a devoted spouse, mother, grandmother and friend, and a passionate supporter of the arts. Her joy for life is fiercely missed by those who knew her.

In honor of her love of music and the performing arts, the family asks that in lieu of flowers or other gifts, that contributions go to the Tuesday Musical of Detroit, Johanna Gilbert Scholarship & Music Award for Contralto Soloists, POB 36535, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236.

Melanie Gilbert and Snip Francis of Arlington, MA, became the legal parents to 5-year-old Bryan, and his 7-year-old sister, Karla, in Massachusetts’ 7th National Adoption Day on November 20, 2009.

Melanie and Snip completed the Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting training and homestudy review in June 2008, through Cambridge Family and Children’s Services (cfcs). Within a month, the children were placed in their home through the Springfield offices of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCF).

Just over one year later, the family stood before the Honorable Daniel J. Swords in Hampden County Juvenile Court, as he read the formal adoption decree. Katie Stone-Harrington, DCF legal, presided over the reading of the adoption vows written by the family.

Also in attendance was Karla and Bryan’s younger brother, Joshua and his family; Jannell Cash of DCF; and the family social worker, Yael Lenkinski of cfcs.

Bryan and Karla join a large and sprawling Irish-Lebanese-German-English-Spanish family that lives in five states and on two continents.

In addition to their two moms, they are loved by their grandparents, Ellwyn and Johanna Gilbert of Grosse Pointe Shores, MI, and George and Ellen Francis of Clinton Township, MI, as well as 24 aunts and uncles, 29 cousins, 4 fish, 3 dogs, 2 turtles and 1 hedgehog.

They also enjoy the love and support of their Springfield-based families including the Rivera, Hernandez and Viust families.

Karla is a first grader at Bishop Elementary, while Bryan attends kindergarten at St. Agnes, both in Arlington. They are active in the Arlington Boys and Girls Club and the drama and music programs at the Arlington Center for the Arts.

Following the adoption ceremony, friends and family celebrated with a pepperoni pizza lunch at Springfield’s Red Rose restaurant.