Vivian M. Gilbert

 Vivian Marie Gilbert, 78, died June 17, 2021, at her Emmett home. She was on hospice care after suffering traumatic head injuries in a fall.

She was born May 27, 1943, in San Diego, Calif., to Miquel and Carmen Sanchez. She grew up in San Diego and married her high school sweetheart, Jerry Gilbert. They would have celebrated their 58th anniversary in August. Vivian, who moved to Emmett in 1978, was a long-time member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and a Benedictine oblate of the Monastery of St. Gertrude.

 Vivian was a colorful character whose bright smile and love of life lit up our world, and she never met a stranger. She was a beloved storyteller for generations of children, a favorite substitute teacher at Emmett schools and a faithful volunteer for many community charities. She was a grateful breast cancer survivor who loved the outdoors and traveling with her beloved husband. She was an accomplished musician who shared her beautiful voice with many community choirs over the years, including Sacred Heart Church, Heart and Home Hospice Comfort Choir and the Biotzetik Basque Choir. She was also an expert seamstress, talented craftswoman and was known as Lady Zianna in the Society for Creative Anachronisms. 

 Vivian is survived by her husband, Jerry of Emmett; daughters, Theresa Zatica of Caldwell, Diana (and Greg) Scott of Puyallup, Wash., and Viviane (and Richard) Stein of Lihue, Hawaii; grandchildren, Brandon Euler-Zatica and Carmen Zufelt; Michael, Sara, and Grace Scott, Kathryn Scott-Josten; Jonah, Sophia and Luke Stein; and one great-grandchild, Bennett Zufelt.

 A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., June 29 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Emmett. It will be preceded by the Rosary at 10:30 a.m. The family is encouraging attendees to wear colorful church clothes or bright accents in honor of Vivian’s cheerful style.

 In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to the Monastery of St. Gertrude, 465 Keuterville Road, Cottonwood, ID 83522, or at stgertrudes.org.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Vivian M. Gilbert, please visit our floral store.