Marie Teresa Gilbert

Marie Teresa Gilbert age 91, of Chicago, Illinois, peacefully passed away at the home of her daughter & son-in-law Kathie & Robert Killebrew, in Portland, Tennessee where her hands were held as she went to her heavenly home on Wednesday July 20, 2022. Marie Gilbert (Arrendondo) was born on May 29, 1931 to Katherine and Valentin Arredondo in San Antonio, Texas. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother. Marie came to Chicago, Illinois from San Antonio, Texas in 1952 to make a better life for her family. She met and married William Szytz, in 1955 and he helped raised her 3 children and his 1 son. They were married for 31 years. He preceded her in death. She worked for Stewart Warner in the 1950's, was a huge part of her children's life at Avondale School where she was part of the PTA, and also helped with the school events with cooking and baking. She made hot chocolate on the winter morning for the patrol boys and girls. In her neighborhood she was everyone's "mom". Marie lived in Chicago, IL where she raised her 4 children. She also worked for AT&T (formerly Illinois Bell). Marie enjoyed her job and during the snow fall of January 26 & 27, 1967 with Chicago's record snowstorm she walked 5 blocks to get to the subway station to take the train to work. Upon arriving at work, she was greeted by security and asked what she was doing there. She simply said I came to cook for anyone who is still here, because that is what she did. She made breakfast for all the people stuck in the building over-night and coffee was flowing. Mom loved what she did and made everyone feel like family. She was not a stand on the sideline kind of woman, she was a get in there and get it done type of woman. AT&T gave mom and award for her kindness and dedication to her job and her fellow employees. Marie was a woman who loved the Lord, her family, and her knitting. Pretty sure everyone in Chicago has one of her Afghan blankets. She made over 700 of them and she sent about 100 of them to India with a mission team from her church. She made them for different missionaries. Every student from Moody Bible institute had one and every baby born in her church got one. Depending on the TV show she was watching, she would knit slower or faster. Everyone who met her was better for knowing her. She was a friend to all. Marie married Jack Gilbert in 1987 in Hawaii and they shared 16 years together traveling together and loving life. Jack preceded her in death in 2003. Marie was also preceded in death by her father in 1957, her 2 sons, Wayne in 1983, Roy in 1995, her mother Katherine in 1995, her loving sister Henrietta Torres in 2012 and her great-great granddaughter Breeanna Patricia Flores in 2020. Marie is survived by her daughter Marie Theresa Walburn (Woody), her daughter Kathie Killebrew (Robert), her 10 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren. A celebration of Life will be held on Saturday August 6, 2022 at Unity Freewill Baptist Church 2634 New Hall Road, White House, TN 37188, Visitation will be from 2-4PM with service immediately following. A Memorial Visitation will be held Friday, September 16, 2022 4 p.m. - 9 p.m. at Muzyka & Son Funeral Home, 5776 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago. Memorial Service Saturday, Septmeber 17, 2022 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment St. Adalbert Cemetery. For more information, please call (773) 545-3800.

Marie Teresa Gilbert

May 29, 1931 - July 20, 2022