Barbara Rita Gilbert

COOLIDGE - Barbara Rita Gilbert, 77, of Coolidge died peacefully at her family home on April 13, 2020.

Mrs. Gilbert was born on Jan. 26, 1943, in Jersey City, New Jersey, to Antone and Leanor Martin Ritchie. She moved from Ridgefield, New Jersey, to Mesa in the 1970s and to Florence in 1989 and married Walter R. Gilbert. She was very artistic and made background designs for motion picture filming, specializing in westerns and western memorabilia. She was a collector of memorabilia and also friends. She had many beloved and dear friends over the years and was always spoken highly of.

She assisted her husband with the operation of Arizona Ranger Museum and was an enthusiastic member of the Pinal County Historical Society & Museum. She loved to joke and always wanted to help others in any way she could. She had great ingenuity and could fix nearly anything. She had an eye for beauty and wanted to make things beautiful and interesting for others.

Survivors include seven adult children, Nadine Kerstetter, Debbie Kent, Tina Specht, Chris Gilbert, Meredith Denney, Brandon Quinnett and Colt Gilbert; 14 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband and two brothers, Billy and Earl Ritchie.

Service later.

J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud Coolidge Chapel in charge of arrangements.