Cynthia Gilbert

On Wednesday, January 23rd, Cindy (Grisham) Gilbert left this earth after a 6-month battle with brain cancer. During her final moments, she was surrounded with immeasurable love and support of family and friends. Preceded in death by her cherished husband Allen in August of 2002, she is survived by her loving daughters Betsy Gilbert, Overland Park, KS and Stephanie Gilbert, Raytown, MO. Additional survivors include her parents Ralph and Joanne Grisham, Shawnee, KS; sister Sandy Vetter (Rob), Lenexa, KS; sister Sherry Grisham-Cushing (John), Rexburg, ID; and brother Rodger Grisham (Elizabeth), Columbus, NE.

Cindy graduated from Shawnee Mission North in 1974, attended Kansas State University and was a member of the Kappa Delta Sigma Gamma Chapter from 1974 - 1977 before transferring to St Mary of the Plains where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1979.

Cindy loved being a nurse and enjoyed a long career of caring.  Cindy first worked as a Neonatal ICU nurse at Shawnee Mission Hospital and the University of Kansas Hospital.  Next, she spent 13 years with Kaiser Permanente, and at this same time earned her CLNC. Before retiring, Cindy spent 10 years as a Diabetes Educator with the University of Kansas Hospital, where she was able to combine her love of nursing with her passion for teaching.

Cindy married her soul mate, Allen, in October of 1982 and their lives were made complete with the births of their much-loved daughters, Betsy in 1984 and Stephanie in 1987. Always with a smile on her face, Cindy was an avid participant in all the joys that life brought her way. She had a generous and compassionate soul and spent her years volunteering her time and talents to Camp Fire Boys & Girls as a troop leader for both of her daughters, as well as serving as the Band Booster President at SMNW. Cindy had a wit and charm that was matched by few and enjoyed by all.  Her intelligence, passion, kindness and sparkling smile will be missed.

A celebration of Cindy’s life will be held on Saturday, February 9th at 11am at Crossroads Church RCA 10551 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66215. Attire is to be colorful, comfortable and casual. Visitation will follow starting at 3pm at the house of Cindy’s daughter, Betsy, 7126 Beverly St, Overland Park, KS 66204.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care, 10100 W 87th St, Suite 100, Overland Park, KS 66212 or at kchospice.org