Carole Gilbert

3/3/1942 — 10/25/2023

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Carole Louise (Kovanen) Gilbert, 81, of Lewiston, died Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, in North Idaho Acute Care Hospital, Post Falls, after an extended illness. She was born March 3, 1942, in Lewiston. She was the beloved daughter of the late Matt and Ada Kovanen.

Carole was a 1960 graduate of Lewiston High School, where she played flute and oboe with the marching and concert bands. She was a graduate of the University of Idaho, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology. She spent a few years working in Hollywood, Calif., in a medical lab and had a few star-struck stories to share in later years. She returned to Lewiston and worked as a Certified Medical Laboratory Technologist at the St. John’s Way Clinic and Valley Medical Center in Lewiston. She was also a skilled phlebotomist and could honestly say it wouldn’t hurt. She loved her work family and spent time with them even after she retired.

A lifelong lover of all animals, especially horses and cats. She grew up with a duck, Quacker, and a dog she adored, Tippie. She always had a cat or two and she especially loved her most recent rescue cat, Misty. Family was always most important to her. She loved her twin children, Bob and Gayle; her brother, the late Michael Kovanen, and sister-in-law, Dorothy Kovanen. She loved long “gab sessions” with her cousin, Judy Brewster, and talked regularly with her dearest friends, Judy Jacobe and Sally Boyd. Carole had a true “giving heart,” especially for her children, grandchildren and friends. She was known to keep in touch with all her relatives, including her many cousins, and loved to attend family reunions.

She was a gifted artist, a talent she passed on to both her children and a granddaughter, Audrey. As such, she looked forward to Lewiston’s annual Dogwood Days and the downtown Art Walk, enjoyed visiting museums, and continued to draw and paint right up to the last months of her life. One unfinished painting will be completed by her granddaughter, Audrey.

Carole loved to laugh and eat out with friends, particularly her weekly “fine dining” trips to Sharp’s. She always loved a good shopping trip and watching HGTV. When Parkinson’s Disease slowed her down, her iPad tablet kept her in touch with friends and family around the country.

Carole is survived by her beloved twins, Robert “Bob” (Melissa) Gilbert in Phoenix and Gayle (Gilbert) Scott in Vancouver, Wash.; her triplet grandchildren, the “ABCs,” Audrey, Brendan and Collin, all of Vancouver; her sister-in-law, Dorothy of Tijeras, N.M.; her niece, Katherine Kovanen, and nephew, Andrew Kovanen, and their children; and many cousins. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Mike.

Her children share deep gratitude to all the staff of Brookdale Senior Living in Lewiston, who gave Carole excellent care, love and friendship, especially Jordan, James who now has her Misty, Matt, Dakota and Hope; and to her closest friend, Judy Jacobe, who was Carole’s “rock” and best friend her entire life since preschool.

Peace comes only from knowing you are free of pain, enjoying some good shopping, and spending precious days with Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Mike. We love you and miss you so much. Until we meet again, rest in peace Mom.

Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home of Lewiston is in charge of funeral arrangements. A burial service will be held this spring.

The family requests the omission of flowers and other tributes and would really appreciate memorial contributions, if desired, to Carole’s favorite charities: Helping Hands Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 1975, Lewiston, ID 83501; or to the Lewis Clark Animal Shelter, 6 Shelter Road., Lewiston, ID 83501.

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