A Celebration of Life for Suzette Gilbert will be held Saturday, August 21, 2021. 

3:00 pm: Memorial Service, First Church, Belfast, front lawn
4:30 pm: Gathering, City Park pavilion, Northport Avenue, Belfast

You are welcome to bring: a festive hat, a bouquet of wild or garden flowers, a memory to share, and a folding chair.

(We ask that guests adhere to current CDC guidelines for Waldo County.)

For more information, see the Riposta Funeral Home website

BELFAST — Suzette Lillian Gilbert, 71, died at her home in Belfast in May, 2021.

She was born on June 23, 1949, and grew up in Evansville, Indiana, the second of four children of Orval (“Ray”) and Lillian (Robertson) Gilbert.

Suzette was predeceased by her parents, sister Janeen, brother Bill (Linda) and nephew Jeffrey.

She is survived by her brother Raymond (Patricia); sons, Tarik Gilbert and Zackary Gilbert; daughter, Jessica Isakson; Elaine Isakson; nieces and nephews, Skyelar, Lydia, Patrick, Eliza, Scott and Christy; grandchildren Autumn, Andrew and Cain; as well as many dear friends.

Suzette earned a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Indiana State University and after moving to Maine received Master’s degrees in Counseling and Social Work from the University of Maine.

Suzette loved her Maine home, settling first in Orono, then on Appleton Ridge, and later as a long time resident of Belfast and Rockland. She was a devoted mother, and her long social work career was dedicated to the welfare of children.

Suzette was an active community member who shared her many gifts. She was an original founder of the Belfast Coop, owner of a vintage clothing shop and a creator of hats. She had a lifelong love of stories and theatre and became a founding actor in Belfast’s MythWeavers Theatre. She provided countless stories and costumes for local theater productions and parades. Suzette was creative, had a flair for living colorfully and drew a wide assortment of friends with her ready laugh and generous spirit.

Suzette was happiest when swimming in a lake or the ocean or visiting one of her many favorite nature spots. She loved books and writing and had a broad appreciation for art and music. She enjoyed gardening and took many a trip to visit family, friends or places of beauty. Suzette had a deep spiritual life and enjoyed attending church in her neighborhood. She valued a caring community, country and world, and readily saw the good in others. She treasured the earth and loved the animal companions in her life.

Suzette was a loyal and loving daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, partner and friend, who brought light wherever she went. Her deep perception and compassionate heart will be greatly missed.

Arrangements are through Riposta Funeral Home, Belfast. A memorial gathering will be held in late summer. See the Riposta website FMI, or to post a tribute.

Memorial gifts in Suzette’s name may be made to: CLAP! (www.clapbelfastmaine.org), Waldo County Humane Society (waldocountyhumanesociety.weebly.com) or The Nature Conservancy (www.nature.org).