Obituary for Jean Carolyn Alley
Jean C. “Gilbert” Alley passed away December 11th, peacefully surrounded by her family who loved and adored her very much.
She was born in New Harbor on July 8, 1932, and was the daughter of the late Willis and Caroline Gilbert. Jean attended school on New Harbor hill and then attended Bristol High School.
One of Jean’s first jobs was working at a bed-and-breakfast, which was owned by her Aunt Addie Prentice. She then worked with her sister, Marie, at Ross Prior’s, picking out lobster meat. Her sister, Marie, was always sneaking a bite here and there, and somehow never got caught. Marie finally convinced Jean to try it by saying, “Oh go ahead, you won’t get caught”. As you might have guessed it, Jean was the one that got caught. Jean never let Marie forget that one.
Jean took great pride cleaning and opening cottages. She did this for over 50 years. There was always just as much laughter going on as there was cleaning. She loved her cleaning buddies very much.
Jean had many things that she enjoyed doing. Her top priority was being with her family. She loved the clam bakes, family reunions, and especially playing Bingo at Christmas time. Every winter she would spend hours at the kitchen table, putting puzzles together with the music going and her foot just a-tapping’. She loved doing the twist. Jean had more than one hootenanny at her home with herself and Gloria, strumming the guitar. Everyone knows that Jean was the happiest when she could putt around with a duster and a cleaning rag. There was never a thing out of place, and never a speck of dust to be seen. That seemed to be a huge trait of all the Gilbert girls.
If you ever went to visit Jean, you knew you were going to get fed whether you were hungry or not. You always left with a fully tummy. She always said, “If you ever left my house hungry, it was your own darn fault”. It helped that she was an incredible cook.
Jean had a huge heart, especially for animals. She could never say no to an animal in need. Her love for animals was certainly passed to her girls. Jean was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She never missed the children’s functions from carting the softball team, cooking for bake sales for the school and church, and going to all their concerts.
Jean devoted a huge part of her life taking care of her grandchildren. She was always there come rain, sleet, or snow. Nothing stopped her because they had become her life. She loved them with all her heart. She had a helping hand and a sweet smile for anyone or anything.
Jean married her soul mate, Bill Alley, on May 10, 1958. They built their own home on the S Road in South Bristol. Here, they shared their love for over 60 years. Jean is survived by her two daughters, Laurene and Wendy. She always said that they were the best gift God could ever have given her.
Jean is predeceased by her siblings, Doris, Buddy, Arthur, Helen, Clinton, Chester, Marie, Pearl, and Gloria. Jean was proud to be a part of the Gilbert Clan. Each one of them was so full of life, laughter, and unconditional live – which was apparent at all of the family gatherings. What one didn’t think of, the other one did, whether it was appropriate or not. If you couldn’t tell, they sure had fun.
Jean is survived by her husband Bill Alley, of 60 years; daughter Laurene and her husband Jim Longe of Walpole, and daughter Wendy Alley of South Bristol; grandchildren Sarah and her husband Allan Spinney of Bristol, Andrew and his wife Kayla Longe of Walpole, Melissa Prentice and her fiancé Neil Galipeau of South Bristol, and Hunter Prentice of Chamberlain; great-grandchildren Brailee, Lauralie, and soon to arrive Adaley Longe. Jean is also survived by her very special sister-in-law Arrolyn Gilbert, whom she loved very much. Her family is also included many nieces and nephews.
Jean is also survived by her favorite breakfast, lunch, and dinner companion, Bunker, the family dog.
Jean’s wish was that there be no service at this time. She felt that after 60 years of marriage, and doing everything together, that she would wait for Bill to someday be joined with her again. At that time, there will be a graveside service.
She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Jean had asked, that if you wanted to do something in her memory, please donate to the Lincoln County Animal Shelter, now Midcoast Humane Society, 190 Pleasant Street, Brunswick, Maine 04011.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.hallfuneralhomes.com
Arrangements are entrusted to the Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 949 Main St. Waldoboro, ME.
She was born in New Harbor on July 8, 1932, and was the daughter of the late Willis and Caroline Gilbert. Jean attended school on New Harbor hill and then attended Bristol High School.
One of Jean’s first jobs was working at a bed-and-breakfast, which was owned by her Aunt Addie Prentice. She then worked with her sister, Marie, at Ross Prior’s, picking out lobster meat. Her sister, Marie, was always sneaking a bite here and there, and somehow never got caught. Marie finally convinced Jean to try it by saying, “Oh go ahead, you won’t get caught”. As you might have guessed it, Jean was the one that got caught. Jean never let Marie forget that one.
Jean took great pride cleaning and opening cottages. She did this for over 50 years. There was always just as much laughter going on as there was cleaning. She loved her cleaning buddies very much.
Jean had many things that she enjoyed doing. Her top priority was being with her family. She loved the clam bakes, family reunions, and especially playing Bingo at Christmas time. Every winter she would spend hours at the kitchen table, putting puzzles together with the music going and her foot just a-tapping’. She loved doing the twist. Jean had more than one hootenanny at her home with herself and Gloria, strumming the guitar. Everyone knows that Jean was the happiest when she could putt around with a duster and a cleaning rag. There was never a thing out of place, and never a speck of dust to be seen. That seemed to be a huge trait of all the Gilbert girls.
If you ever went to visit Jean, you knew you were going to get fed whether you were hungry or not. You always left with a fully tummy. She always said, “If you ever left my house hungry, it was your own darn fault”. It helped that she was an incredible cook.
Jean had a huge heart, especially for animals. She could never say no to an animal in need. Her love for animals was certainly passed to her girls. Jean was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She never missed the children’s functions from carting the softball team, cooking for bake sales for the school and church, and going to all their concerts.
Jean devoted a huge part of her life taking care of her grandchildren. She was always there come rain, sleet, or snow. Nothing stopped her because they had become her life. She loved them with all her heart. She had a helping hand and a sweet smile for anyone or anything.
Jean married her soul mate, Bill Alley, on May 10, 1958. They built their own home on the S Road in South Bristol. Here, they shared their love for over 60 years. Jean is survived by her two daughters, Laurene and Wendy. She always said that they were the best gift God could ever have given her.
Jean is predeceased by her siblings, Doris, Buddy, Arthur, Helen, Clinton, Chester, Marie, Pearl, and Gloria. Jean was proud to be a part of the Gilbert Clan. Each one of them was so full of life, laughter, and unconditional live – which was apparent at all of the family gatherings. What one didn’t think of, the other one did, whether it was appropriate or not. If you couldn’t tell, they sure had fun.
Jean is survived by her husband Bill Alley, of 60 years; daughter Laurene and her husband Jim Longe of Walpole, and daughter Wendy Alley of South Bristol; grandchildren Sarah and her husband Allan Spinney of Bristol, Andrew and his wife Kayla Longe of Walpole, Melissa Prentice and her fiancé Neil Galipeau of South Bristol, and Hunter Prentice of Chamberlain; great-grandchildren Brailee, Lauralie, and soon to arrive Adaley Longe. Jean is also survived by her very special sister-in-law Arrolyn Gilbert, whom she loved very much. Her family is also included many nieces and nephews.
Jean is also survived by her favorite breakfast, lunch, and dinner companion, Bunker, the family dog.
Jean’s wish was that there be no service at this time. She felt that after 60 years of marriage, and doing everything together, that she would wait for Bill to someday be joined with her again. At that time, there will be a graveside service.
She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Jean had asked, that if you wanted to do something in her memory, please donate to the Lincoln County Animal Shelter, now Midcoast Humane Society, 190 Pleasant Street, Brunswick, Maine 04011.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.hallfuneralhomes.com
Arrangements are entrusted to the Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 949 Main St. Waldoboro, ME.