With heavy hearts and cherished memories, we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother, sister and friend, Jody Ellen Gilbert, who lost her twelve-year battle against cancer on August 27, 2023, surrounded by her family.

The daughter of Kenneth Eugene and Beverly Jane Mitterwager, Jody was born in December 1968 in Liberty, New York and grew up as the spirited middle child between two athletic brothers, embracing her tomboy nature with unwavering determination. Her prowess in soccer and softball during her high school years at Delaware Valley Central School in Callicoon, New York, earned the respect of her peers (most importantly, those of her brothers), leaving a trail of admiration from both teammates and onlookers alike.

As she transitioned into adulthood, Jody continued to shine brightly, developing and mastering her talents as an accomplished accountant with the Ford Motor Company. The skills that Jody developed at Ford served as the foundation for her lifelong dedication to supporting various businesses, both her own ventures and those of others.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Jody’s adventurous spirit led her on regular travels throughout the country (including her so called “once-in-a-lifetime” trip to Maui to celebrate her 50th birthday). She embraced all that she learned in her travels, using her experiences to shape the resiliency that defined her character. 

In 2006, with the family opting for a more permanent change of scene, Jody led the charge in moving from Northeast Pennsylvania and planting new roots in Southeast Tennessee, eventually finding a cherished home in Knoxville. Not long after relocating to Tennessee, in 2012, Jody received her initial cancer diagnosis. No stranger to adversity, Jody employed the fortitude and resiliency that came to define her as a person. Following multiple rounds of treatment and a preliminary victory against the disease, Jody’s unwavering determination continued to shine through as she decided to pursue her dream of enrolling in nursing school during this transformative period. Jody put her head down and diligently worked toward her dream of obtaining nursing credentials. Fate had other plans, and her studies were curtailed by resurgence of her illness, prompting her to reenter treatments with the same courage she had shown throughout her life.

Despite the constant adversity she faced, Jody’s personality was marked by her infectious smile, glimmering blue eyes and persistent optimism. As those fortunate enough to spend time with her in her later years came to expect, she rarely showed up to a get-together without a Tiffany-blue emblazoned accessory or Tiffany-blue fingernails, a colorful reflection of her unique essence. Her witty humor and genuine warmth left an indelible mark on everyone who crossed her path. Whether it was her knack of recounting an old story or her uncanny ability to fill a room with laughter, she effortlessly radiated joy.

Jody is survived by her husband, Paul V. Gilbert, of Knoxville, TN; sons, Paul A. Gilbert and his wife Inga Miller, of San Francisco, CA, and Jordan Gilbert of Knoxville, TN; two brothers Jason Mitterwager of Conway, SC, and Morgan Mitterwager, of Obernberg, NY; and life-long friend Jody Canfield, of Havertown, PA. She is pre-deceased by her father Kenneth (2009) and mother Beverly (2006).

As we mourn the loss of a truly extraordinary woman, we acknowledge the immeasurable void her passing leaves in our lives. Jody touched us all with her strength, wisdom, and boundless love. Her legacy lives on in the lives she impacted, and the memories we hold dear will continue to inspire us. In her honor, let us embrace life’s challenges with the same fearlessness that defined her journey and keep her spirit alive through our own acts of kindness, perseverance, and unwavering love.

Your memory has been a blessing – you will forever be etched in our hearts.