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Sandra J. "Meem" Gilson, 75, of East Salem passed away at 8:10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 at UPMC Harrisburg surrounded by her family.
Born on Oct. 8, 1949 in Lewistown, Mifflin County, she is a daughter of the late Russell L. and Lola Jane (Dunn) Bassler. On April 25, 1969, she married her late husband, Richard Wayne "Peep" Gilson, Sr., with whom she was blessed to share more than 46 years of marriage before his passing on May 23, 2015.
She is survived by her children: Crystal Kessler and her husband Randy, of Newport, Danelle Kline and her companion Nathan Hackenburg of Selinsgrove, Richard W. Gilson, Jr. and his wife Julie of East Salem, and Michael Gilson and his wife Raina of Landisburg; nine grandchildren, Jennifer Ricciardelli and her companion Justin Brown, Sarah Boyer and her husband CJ, Bethany Page and her husband Dillon, Allee Forlizzi and her husband Adam, Tony Ortiz, Richard Gilson III and his fiance Korinne, Connor Kline and his companion Annie, Jake Gilson and his companion Carmyn, and Ryker Gilson; ten great grandchildren; and four siblings, Earl Bassler, Dennis Bassler, Cheryl Lauver, and Pat Lorenz; many generations of nieces and nephews; her beloved Yorkie canine companion, Ellie; and her special friends, Tim and Carol Engle and her Lupfers Grove family.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by one brother, Robert Dunn. Mrs. Gilson was a 1967 graduate of East Juniata High School in Cocolamus.
"Meem" was employed earlier in life with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Next, she worked as a seamstress at East Salem Shirt Factory and Lyons Fashions. After that, she worked at the Corner Deli in Thomsponstown. Later, she was employed and retired in 2015 as a Rural Carrier for USPS for the 17094 zip code. In addition to that, she worked alongside her husband with their business, Gilson's signs.
She was a member of the J.E. Bowen AMVETS Post 122 in Thompsontown.
She enjoyed camping, knitting, crocheting, watching and rooting for the Philadelphia Phillies, spent many years watching and was a fan of NASCAR, and going out Wednesday night with friends at the AMVETS; however, her greatest joy came from time spent with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024 at the East Salem Community Church, 7398 Route 235, Mifflintown with Pastor Jodi Strawser officiating. Interment will be private.
A closed casket visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral services at 11 a.m. on Monday at the Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mrs. Gilson's memory may be made to the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the Mifflin Co. and Juniata Co. Pet Pantry, Inc., P.O. Box 3, McAlisterville, PA 17049.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brown Funeral Homes, Inc., 111 Westfall St., McAlisterville.
Online tributes and condolences may be sent to the family at www.brownfuneralhomesinc.com.