Susan Ann (Eustice) Gilbert

Susan Ann Eustice Gilbert, beloved wife, mother, friend, and community advocate left this world peacefully and most unexpectedly late Thursday evening, December 4th, in the comfort of her residence. Sue or Susie, as she is known to family and friends, was born in Wilkes-Barre to Madelyn Mae Hummel Eustice and Daniel Eustice, on April 25, 1956. Sue was educated in the city schools, having attended her freshman and sophomore years at the Elmer L. Meyers Memorial High School, South Wilkes-Barre. Following the devastation of Hurricane Agnes in June of 1972, the family relocated to the Mountain Top area. It was here she would become a member of the 1974 graduating class of Crestwood High School.

Susie is survived by her husband, Damian; her daughters Beth Anne Gilbert of Wilkes-Barre and her partner, Matt Brunn, Yvonne D. Miller of Plymouth and her spouse, Glenn Miller Jr., and Lois Grimm of Wilkes-Barre and her spouse, Cassidy Grimm; and her beloved grandchildren: Kobe Miller, Samuel Conklin, Korynne Miller, Aaron Grimm, Karyn Miller, and Robert “Chubby” McBride — each a bright joy in her life. She is also survived by her brother, James Eustice of East Syracuse, New York; and by Joseph McBride — father of her grandson Robert — whose connection to Sue remained strong and valued, as well as numerous nieces and nephews — both by birth and by heart, cousins, and lifelong friends who became family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Madelyn and Daniel Eustice; her grandmother, Charlotte Mae Hummel; her grandfather, John Eustice Jr.; her uncle, Jack Eustice; her uncle, Ben Hummel; her aunt, Jeanette Hummel Gittens; and her cousin, Linda Hummel Dixon. Other survivors include her brother, Daniel, of Mountain Top, PA; as well as cousins and extended family.

To attempt to encapsulate our mother’s life into the small space afforded here seems like a task too great for words alone. Susie was laughter, humor, coffee seshes, hugs, advice, comfort, warmth, and two-hour phone conversations—all held in the body of a beautiful, passionate, fierce, and courageous auburn-haired Irish woman. Stories abound of Susie defending others, standing up for those without a voice, and coming to the defense of her daughters and grandchildren. She loved anyone who needed to be loved, and cared for anyone who needed to be cared for.

Sue was a longtime community advocate and approached every role that she stepped into, whether in her career or as a volunteer, with passion and intense dedication. She was the President of the Heights Murray Parent Teacher Organization and, until its closure, an active member of Holy Trinity Parish in the Heights. Susie was a beloved catechism instructor at the church for a number of years, and regularly spoke about the children she taught, even decades later. Susie was a member of the East Station Firehouse Reopening Committee, which strategized and advocated for the reopening of the firehouse on East Northampton St in Wilkes-Barre. Although this battle was unsuccessful, Sue “gave ‘em hell” by taking on City Hall, and became a fierce advocate for the reopening of the firehouse at Wilkes-Barre City Council meetings. It was here that Susie’s love of local government was born. She continued to attend local government meetings for years, and single-handedly ran her daughter Beth’s campaign for City Council. Sue instilled a strong desire in all of us to help all the people that we can, whenever and wherever we can.

Sue was a creative soul with a beautiful voice. Whether she was decorating her lovely home with an eye for detail that would rival Martha Stewart, creating stunning crafts and Halloween costumes, baking her Christmas morning strata, or singing during Saturday’s karaoke night at Jim McCarthy's Tavern on the Hill, Susie was known for her creativity driven by intention and care. She made anything that she created or participated in better than how she found it.

We consider Sue very lucky to have spent the last decades of her life with her once-in-a-lifetime love, Damian Gilbert. Having known each other as children and teens, nearly marrying as young adults until other circumstances prevailed, and eventually reuniting 22 years later, Damian and Susie’s marriage seemed destined from the start. We, her daughters, cannot thank Damian enough for seeing our mother with the loving eyes and warm heart that she deserved.

Sue loved her children and grandchildren with her whole heart. Traveling and car rides with Beth, coffee dates with Yvonne, and breakfasts with Lois were the highlights of Sue’s weeks. Singing with Robert, chatting with Sam, listening to Aaron play music, lunching with Kobe, dishing with Korynne, and music-filled car rides with Karyn were among the brightest joys of her life.

Sue had numerous nieces and nephews, some by birth, and others by bonds of friendship. She never missed an opportunity to celebrate their milestones and successes. She truly loved recognizing and congratulating all of us when we accomplished … well anything. She just loved to see us succeed. Her praise and recognition meant more than any promotion, graduation, or award.

Susie was especially close to her brother, Jimmy. While their childhood memories began with playful mischief — like having an older sister dress him up like a girl and parading him around the neighborhood — they quickly forged a special bond of oldest sister and youngest brother. He recalls her seated cross-legged on her bedroom floor, oversized headphones on her head, rocking back and forth for hours as music filled her world, so absorbed that even blisters on her ankles didn’t stop her. He also remembers a childhood birthday when Susie took him downtown on the city bus for a movie and gifted him a VertiBird helicopter. When they realized the toy had been left behind on the bus, she sprinted two blocks to catch it, determined to get her little brother’s gift back.

We would be remiss not to mention Susie’s many friends and how much joy she derived from all of you. Elaine Wallace and Renee Wasluck, friends since the early days. Harry and Anna McCarthy, Kelly and Eddy Warren, Shelby and Rob Sudnick, Tracy and Tony Bauer, Scotty Modzelewski, Norm, John, Darlene Hughes and Donna Artmont… Your friendships and the joy you brought our mother were immeasurable. We want you to know how much she loved and treasured each of you.

May we honor her by living loudly, standing firmly for what is right, and championing others the way she always did. In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to make a donation in Sue’s name to In This Together NEPA, a local organization dedicated to the advocacy and causes that she was so passionate about.

Memorial funeral services for Sue will be conducted on Saturday, December 13th at 1:00 p.m. from the John V. Morris Family Funeral Home Inc., 625 North Main Street, Wilkes-Barre; with personal family friend, the Reverend Shawn Walker serving as celebrant.
Interment will be held privately and at the convenience of the family.
Relatives and friends may join the Gilbert family for visitation and shared remembrances Saturday afternoon from 11:00 a.m. until the time of services.

 We, the John V. Morris Family are honored to care for our friend and neighbor Sue along with her family at this time. Those wishing to share online words of comfort or a fond memory you have of her with the Gilbert family, are encouraged to do so here on Sue's memorial page. Thank You.

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