“THOSE WHO KNEW EDITH GILBERT CALLED HER EXRAORDINARY-
THOSE WHO LOVED HER CALLED HER AN INSPIRITATION.”
Two years before her death, at the age of 89, Edith came up with "Plum Crazy Conserve," a fruit preserve made with Michigan plums. She designed, manufactured and distributed the preserve, which sold at more than a dozen food shops in the region. She also embraced the Internet with her Web site, www.edithgilbert.com, which offered advice for brides and grooms, but also served as a portal for selling her preserves and books.
“Wherever she was in a crowd, she’d have a great sparkle in her eye and a giggle that was tremendous,” she said. Ahrens said Gilbert was a great supporter of the arts wherever she went. “Edith was a crucial part of the arts center all the way along ... if she was on your side, you could never think of a better ally,” she said. “She was a constant cheerleader, mentor and coach.”
For Ken Winter, former editor of the Petoskey News-Review and his wife Ginger — Gilbert was their matchmaker. Ken said Gilbert was not subtle when she wanted to introduce people. “One day she came into the News-Review and barricaded the door, and said ‘Have you called (Ginger) yet?’ and I said, ‘No,’ then she said, ‘You’d better call her right now,’” he said, laughing as he recalled the incident. Winter did make the call, and eventually, when he and Ginger married, Gilbert served as the couple’s matron of honor. “She played our cupid, and every Valentine’s Day, we’d always send her a Valentine’s card,” Ginger said.
When it came to cards, Gilbert enjoyed receiving, but she also enjoyed sharing her humor in the form of holiday greetings. “Every year we’d get a Christmas card with Edith on the front, wearing the same Christmas sweater, doing something preposterous and age inappropriate — she was always in some new adventure,” Farbman said. “She never really thought she was old ... she was always a dynamo.”
“I was astounded,” said another friend, "at how she maintained being vital and relevant right up until the end,” Farbman said. “As my husband said, she was interesting and interested — Charlevoix will never be the same.” Melissa Keiswetter, a long-time friend of Gilbert’s, said Edith touched her life in many ways. “She’s been a mother figure, mentor and a very best friend,” she said. “I would say, of all the people in my life, I have learned more from Edith Gilbert ... she has made me a greater person than I would have been before meeting her.”
“I can’t believe she’s not on the planet, said ”Ginger Winter, “A life without Edith is going to be weird for a while.”
Edith Gilbert became the author of several books on wedding planning and etiquette, including "The Complete Wedding Planner" (Fourth Edition). Her expert advice has been featured in the New York Times and Chicago Tribune. In a period of five years, Edith's answered over 30,000 questions about wedding etiquette.
"The Complete Wedding Planner," sold more than 200,000 copies of its various editions. She also wrote, "Summer Resort Life: Tango, Teas and All," a history of the heady times of the 1920s, '30s and '40s in northwest Lower Michigan; “All About Parties” and “Let’s Set the Table.”
In the early ’60s Edith became an original member of the Friends of the Charlevoix Public Library, and worked to establish the Charlevoix Waterfront Art Fair. She was also a board member for the Charlevoix Historical Society, volunteer for the Charlevoix Area Hospital and responsible for the current railings on the drawbridge in downtown Charlevoix.
In the ’70s, she became a founding member of the Crooked Tree Arts Center, where in 2002, she was honored by having a gallery named after her. Liz Ahrens, executive director for the Crooked Tree Arts Center, described Gilbert as a force.
At the young age of 89, Gilbert tried a new venture by designing, manufacturing and distributing “Plum Crazy,” a plum conserve, to more than 30 gift and gourmet shops throughout Northern Michigan. “She was a marketing guru ... if she was selling her Plum Crazy, she would be wearing her plum colored outfit,” Ahrens said.
“It occurs to me that she was part Julia Child, part Perle Mesta and part Emily Post — all together, an original,” said Suzy Farbman, author, journalist, and long-time friend of Gilbert’s. “There are many of us who considered her a real anchor in our lives, and we’ll miss her greatly.”
After World Ward I, her family moved from New York City to Germany; then to Shanghai, China, for four years; and to San Francisco, Calif., in 1927, where her parents were in the import/export business. In 1935, her family moved to Beverly Hills, Calif., where her mother ran the gift shop at the Beverly Hills Hotel, featuring imported ceramics and art. Gilbert met her husband, Julius, at the Beverly Hills Hotel in 1939. He proposed soon after, and the couple married in Santa Monica, April 9, 1940. She and Julius counted among their blessings a daughter, Patsy (Grove) of New Haven, Conn; and a son, Jay, of New York.
During World War II, Gilbert worked for the war bond campaign, and was a driver for the American Red Cross motor pool. The adventure didn’t stop there; she remained a world traveler for most of her life.
For much of this time, the couple summered in Charlevoix, and in 1963, made the decision to move there permanently. In the early ’70s, Gilbert became a columnist for the Charlevoix Courier, which then turned into a column for the Petoskey News-Review. She has also written for the Detroit Free Press and various magazines. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, Chicago Tribune and United Feature Syndicate. Family and friends say Gilbert was caring, compassionate and giving until the very end. Gilbert was the epitome of class, throwing numerous galas and celebrations for family, friends and acquaintances. She was also a philanthropist, and often called the “Grand Dame” of Charlevoix,
Transcribed and edited by Petoskey History 1852-2002
Primary Quotes and Excerpts: Christina Rohn, Petoskey News-Review
Edith’s Petoskey Obituary and Various Media
The complete obituary for Edith Gilbert is available at Petoskey's Greenwood Cemetery Geneological Site.
THOSE WHO LOVED HER CALLED HER AN INSPIRITATION.”
Two years before her death, at the age of 89, Edith came up with "Plum Crazy Conserve," a fruit preserve made with Michigan plums. She designed, manufactured and distributed the preserve, which sold at more than a dozen food shops in the region. She also embraced the Internet with her Web site, www.edithgilbert.com, which offered advice for brides and grooms, but also served as a portal for selling her preserves and books.
“Wherever she was in a crowd, she’d have a great sparkle in her eye and a giggle that was tremendous,” she said. Ahrens said Gilbert was a great supporter of the arts wherever she went. “Edith was a crucial part of the arts center all the way along ... if she was on your side, you could never think of a better ally,” she said. “She was a constant cheerleader, mentor and coach.”
For Ken Winter, former editor of the Petoskey News-Review and his wife Ginger — Gilbert was their matchmaker. Ken said Gilbert was not subtle when she wanted to introduce people. “One day she came into the News-Review and barricaded the door, and said ‘Have you called (Ginger) yet?’ and I said, ‘No,’ then she said, ‘You’d better call her right now,’” he said, laughing as he recalled the incident. Winter did make the call, and eventually, when he and Ginger married, Gilbert served as the couple’s matron of honor. “She played our cupid, and every Valentine’s Day, we’d always send her a Valentine’s card,” Ginger said.
When it came to cards, Gilbert enjoyed receiving, but she also enjoyed sharing her humor in the form of holiday greetings. “Every year we’d get a Christmas card with Edith on the front, wearing the same Christmas sweater, doing something preposterous and age inappropriate — she was always in some new adventure,” Farbman said. “She never really thought she was old ... she was always a dynamo.”
“I was astounded,” said another friend, "at how she maintained being vital and relevant right up until the end,” Farbman said. “As my husband said, she was interesting and interested — Charlevoix will never be the same.” Melissa Keiswetter, a long-time friend of Gilbert’s, said Edith touched her life in many ways. “She’s been a mother figure, mentor and a very best friend,” she said. “I would say, of all the people in my life, I have learned more from Edith Gilbert ... she has made me a greater person than I would have been before meeting her.”
“I can’t believe she’s not on the planet, said ”Ginger Winter, “A life without Edith is going to be weird for a while.”
Edith Gilbert became the author of several books on wedding planning and etiquette, including "The Complete Wedding Planner" (Fourth Edition). Her expert advice has been featured in the New York Times and Chicago Tribune. In a period of five years, Edith's answered over 30,000 questions about wedding etiquette.
"The Complete Wedding Planner," sold more than 200,000 copies of its various editions. She also wrote, "Summer Resort Life: Tango, Teas and All," a history of the heady times of the 1920s, '30s and '40s in northwest Lower Michigan; “All About Parties” and “Let’s Set the Table.”
In the early ’60s Edith became an original member of the Friends of the Charlevoix Public Library, and worked to establish the Charlevoix Waterfront Art Fair. She was also a board member for the Charlevoix Historical Society, volunteer for the Charlevoix Area Hospital and responsible for the current railings on the drawbridge in downtown Charlevoix.
In the ’70s, she became a founding member of the Crooked Tree Arts Center, where in 2002, she was honored by having a gallery named after her. Liz Ahrens, executive director for the Crooked Tree Arts Center, described Gilbert as a force.
At the young age of 89, Gilbert tried a new venture by designing, manufacturing and distributing “Plum Crazy,” a plum conserve, to more than 30 gift and gourmet shops throughout Northern Michigan. “She was a marketing guru ... if she was selling her Plum Crazy, she would be wearing her plum colored outfit,” Ahrens said.
“It occurs to me that she was part Julia Child, part Perle Mesta and part Emily Post — all together, an original,” said Suzy Farbman, author, journalist, and long-time friend of Gilbert’s. “There are many of us who considered her a real anchor in our lives, and we’ll miss her greatly.”
After World Ward I, her family moved from New York City to Germany; then to Shanghai, China, for four years; and to San Francisco, Calif., in 1927, where her parents were in the import/export business. In 1935, her family moved to Beverly Hills, Calif., where her mother ran the gift shop at the Beverly Hills Hotel, featuring imported ceramics and art. Gilbert met her husband, Julius, at the Beverly Hills Hotel in 1939. He proposed soon after, and the couple married in Santa Monica, April 9, 1940. She and Julius counted among their blessings a daughter, Patsy (Grove) of New Haven, Conn; and a son, Jay, of New York.
During World War II, Gilbert worked for the war bond campaign, and was a driver for the American Red Cross motor pool. The adventure didn’t stop there; she remained a world traveler for most of her life.
For much of this time, the couple summered in Charlevoix, and in 1963, made the decision to move there permanently. In the early ’70s, Gilbert became a columnist for the Charlevoix Courier, which then turned into a column for the Petoskey News-Review. She has also written for the Detroit Free Press and various magazines. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, Chicago Tribune and United Feature Syndicate. Family and friends say Gilbert was caring, compassionate and giving until the very end. Gilbert was the epitome of class, throwing numerous galas and celebrations for family, friends and acquaintances. She was also a philanthropist, and often called the “Grand Dame” of Charlevoix,
Transcribed and edited by Petoskey History 1852-2002
Primary Quotes and Excerpts: Christina Rohn, Petoskey News-Review
Edith’s Petoskey Obituary and Various Media
The complete obituary for Edith Gilbert is available at Petoskey's Greenwood Cemetery Geneological Site.
“THOSE WHO KNEW EDITH GILBERT CALLED HER EXRAORDINARY-
THOSE WHO LOVED HER CALLED HER AN INSPIRITATION.”
Two years before her death, at the age of 89, Edith came up with "Plum Crazy Conserve," a fruit preserve made with Michigan plums. She designed, manufactured and distributed the preserve, which sold at more than a dozen food shops in the region. She also embraced the Internet with her Web site, www.edithgilbert.com, which offered advice for brides and grooms, but also served as a portal for selling her preserves and books.
“Wherever she was in a crowd, she’d have a great sparkle in her eye and a giggle that was tremendous,” she said. Ahrens said Gilbert was a great supporter of the arts wherever she went. “Edith was a crucial part of the arts center all the way along ... if she was on your side, you could never think of a better ally,” she said. “She was a constant cheerleader, mentor and coach.”
For Ken Winter, former editor of the Petoskey News-Review and his wife Ginger — Gilbert was their matchmaker. Ken said Gilbert was not subtle when she wanted to introduce people. “One day she came into the News-Review and barricaded the door, and said ‘Have you called (Ginger) yet?’ and I said, ‘No,’ then she said, ‘You’d better call her right now,’” he said, laughing as he recalled the incident. Winter did make the call, and eventually, when he and Ginger married, Gilbert served as the couple’s matron of honor. “She played our cupid, and every Valentine’s Day, we’d always send her a Valentine’s card,” Ginger said.
When it came to cards, Gilbert enjoyed receiving, but she also enjoyed sharing her humor in the form of holiday greetings. “Every year we’d get a Christmas card with Edith on the front, wearing the same Christmas sweater, doing something preposterous and age inappropriate — she was always in some new adventure,” Farbman said. “She never really thought she was old ... she was always a dynamo.”
“I was astounded,” said another friend, "at how she maintained being vital and relevant right up until the end,” Farbman said. “As my husband said, she was interesting and interested — Charlevoix will never be the same.” Melissa Keiswetter, a long-time friend of Gilbert’s, said Edith touched her life in many ways. “She’s been a mother figure, mentor and a very best friend,” she said. “I would say, of all the people in my life, I have learned more from Edith Gilbert ... she has made me a greater person than I would have been before meeting her.”
“I can’t believe she’s not on the planet, said ”Ginger Winter, “A life without Edith is going to be weird for a while.”
Edith Gilbert became the author of several books on wedding planning and etiquette, including "The Complete Wedding Planner" (Fourth Edition). Her expert advice has been featured in the New York Times and Chicago Tribune. In a period of five years, Edith's answered over 30,000 questions about wedding etiquette.
"The Complete Wedding Planner," sold more than 200,000 copies of its various editions. She also wrote, "Summer Resort Life: Tango, Teas and All," a history of the heady times of the 1920s, '30s and '40s in northwest Lower Michigan; “All About Parties” and “Let’s Set the Table.”
In the early ’60s Edith became an original member of the Friends of the Charlevoix Public Library, and worked to establish the Charlevoix Waterfront Art Fair. She was also a board member for the Charlevoix Historical Society, volunteer for the Charlevoix Area Hospital and responsible for the current railings on the drawbridge in downtown Charlevoix.
In the ’70s, she became a founding member of the Crooked Tree Arts Center, where in 2002, she was honored by having a gallery named after her. Liz Ahrens, executive director for the Crooked Tree Arts Center, described Gilbert as a force.
At the young age of 89, Gilbert tried a new venture by designing, manufacturing and distributing “Plum Crazy,” a plum conserve, to more than 30 gift and gourmet shops throughout Northern Michigan. “She was a marketing guru ... if she was selling her Plum Crazy, she would be wearing her plum colored outfit,” Ahrens said.
“It occurs to me that she was part Julia Child, part Perle Mesta and part Emily Post — all together, an original,” said Suzy Farbman, author, journalist, and long-time friend of Gilbert’s. “There are many of us who considered her a real anchor in our lives, and we’ll miss her greatly.”
After World Ward I, her family moved from New York City to Germany; then to Shanghai, China, for four years; and to San Francisco, Calif., in 1927, where her parents were in the import/export business. In 1935, her family moved to Beverly Hills, Calif., where her mother ran the gift shop at the Beverly Hills Hotel, featuring imported ceramics and art. Gilbert met her husband, Julius, at the Beverly Hills Hotel in 1939. He proposed soon after, and the couple married in Santa Monica, April 9, 1940. She and Julius counted among their blessings a daughter, Patsy (Grove) of New Haven, Conn; and a son, Jay, of New York.
During World War II, Gilbert worked for the war bond campaign, and was a driver for the American Red Cross motor pool. The adventure didn’t stop there; she remained a world traveler for most of her life.
For much of this time, the couple summered in Charlevoix, and in 1963, made the decision to move there permanently. In the early ’70s, Gilbert became a columnist for the Charlevoix Courier, which then turned into a column for the Petoskey News-Review. She has also written for the Detroit Free Press and various magazines. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, Chicago Tribune and United Feature Syndicate. Family and friends say Gilbert was caring, compassionate and giving until the very end. Gilbert was the epitome of class, throwing numerous galas and celebrations for family, friends and acquaintances. She was also a philanthropist, and often called the “Grand Dame” of Charlevoix,
Transcribed and edited by Petoskey History 1852-2002
Primary Quotes and Excerpts: Christina Rohn, Petoskey News-Review
Edith’s Petoskey Obituary and Various Media
The complete obituary for Edith Gilbert is available at Petoskey's Greenwood Cemetery Geneological Site.
THOSE WHO LOVED HER CALLED HER AN INSPIRITATION.”
Two years before her death, at the age of 89, Edith came up with "Plum Crazy Conserve," a fruit preserve made with Michigan plums. She designed, manufactured and distributed the preserve, which sold at more than a dozen food shops in the region. She also embraced the Internet with her Web site, www.edithgilbert.com, which offered advice for brides and grooms, but also served as a portal for selling her preserves and books.
“Wherever she was in a crowd, she’d have a great sparkle in her eye and a giggle that was tremendous,” she said. Ahrens said Gilbert was a great supporter of the arts wherever she went. “Edith was a crucial part of the arts center all the way along ... if she was on your side, you could never think of a better ally,” she said. “She was a constant cheerleader, mentor and coach.”
For Ken Winter, former editor of the Petoskey News-Review and his wife Ginger — Gilbert was their matchmaker. Ken said Gilbert was not subtle when she wanted to introduce people. “One day she came into the News-Review and barricaded the door, and said ‘Have you called (Ginger) yet?’ and I said, ‘No,’ then she said, ‘You’d better call her right now,’” he said, laughing as he recalled the incident. Winter did make the call, and eventually, when he and Ginger married, Gilbert served as the couple’s matron of honor. “She played our cupid, and every Valentine’s Day, we’d always send her a Valentine’s card,” Ginger said.
When it came to cards, Gilbert enjoyed receiving, but she also enjoyed sharing her humor in the form of holiday greetings. “Every year we’d get a Christmas card with Edith on the front, wearing the same Christmas sweater, doing something preposterous and age inappropriate — she was always in some new adventure,” Farbman said. “She never really thought she was old ... she was always a dynamo.”
“I was astounded,” said another friend, "at how she maintained being vital and relevant right up until the end,” Farbman said. “As my husband said, she was interesting and interested — Charlevoix will never be the same.” Melissa Keiswetter, a long-time friend of Gilbert’s, said Edith touched her life in many ways. “She’s been a mother figure, mentor and a very best friend,” she said. “I would say, of all the people in my life, I have learned more from Edith Gilbert ... she has made me a greater person than I would have been before meeting her.”
“I can’t believe she’s not on the planet, said ”Ginger Winter, “A life without Edith is going to be weird for a while.”
Edith Gilbert became the author of several books on wedding planning and etiquette, including "The Complete Wedding Planner" (Fourth Edition). Her expert advice has been featured in the New York Times and Chicago Tribune. In a period of five years, Edith's answered over 30,000 questions about wedding etiquette.
"The Complete Wedding Planner," sold more than 200,000 copies of its various editions. She also wrote, "Summer Resort Life: Tango, Teas and All," a history of the heady times of the 1920s, '30s and '40s in northwest Lower Michigan; “All About Parties” and “Let’s Set the Table.”
In the early ’60s Edith became an original member of the Friends of the Charlevoix Public Library, and worked to establish the Charlevoix Waterfront Art Fair. She was also a board member for the Charlevoix Historical Society, volunteer for the Charlevoix Area Hospital and responsible for the current railings on the drawbridge in downtown Charlevoix.
In the ’70s, she became a founding member of the Crooked Tree Arts Center, where in 2002, she was honored by having a gallery named after her. Liz Ahrens, executive director for the Crooked Tree Arts Center, described Gilbert as a force.
At the young age of 89, Gilbert tried a new venture by designing, manufacturing and distributing “Plum Crazy,” a plum conserve, to more than 30 gift and gourmet shops throughout Northern Michigan. “She was a marketing guru ... if she was selling her Plum Crazy, she would be wearing her plum colored outfit,” Ahrens said.
“It occurs to me that she was part Julia Child, part Perle Mesta and part Emily Post — all together, an original,” said Suzy Farbman, author, journalist, and long-time friend of Gilbert’s. “There are many of us who considered her a real anchor in our lives, and we’ll miss her greatly.”
After World Ward I, her family moved from New York City to Germany; then to Shanghai, China, for four years; and to San Francisco, Calif., in 1927, where her parents were in the import/export business. In 1935, her family moved to Beverly Hills, Calif., where her mother ran the gift shop at the Beverly Hills Hotel, featuring imported ceramics and art. Gilbert met her husband, Julius, at the Beverly Hills Hotel in 1939. He proposed soon after, and the couple married in Santa Monica, April 9, 1940. She and Julius counted among their blessings a daughter, Patsy (Grove) of New Haven, Conn; and a son, Jay, of New York.
During World War II, Gilbert worked for the war bond campaign, and was a driver for the American Red Cross motor pool. The adventure didn’t stop there; she remained a world traveler for most of her life.
For much of this time, the couple summered in Charlevoix, and in 1963, made the decision to move there permanently. In the early ’70s, Gilbert became a columnist for the Charlevoix Courier, which then turned into a column for the Petoskey News-Review. She has also written for the Detroit Free Press and various magazines. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, Chicago Tribune and United Feature Syndicate. Family and friends say Gilbert was caring, compassionate and giving until the very end. Gilbert was the epitome of class, throwing numerous galas and celebrations for family, friends and acquaintances. She was also a philanthropist, and often called the “Grand Dame” of Charlevoix,
Transcribed and edited by Petoskey History 1852-2002
Primary Quotes and Excerpts: Christina Rohn, Petoskey News-Review
Edith’s Petoskey Obituary and Various Media
The complete obituary for Edith Gilbert is available at Petoskey's Greenwood Cemetery Geneological Site.
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