Yoko Gilbert

October 3, 1932 - February 15, 2018

Yoko was born to Michie and Tetsuo Esashika on October 3, 1932, in Aomori, Japan. Little did she know that her soulmate and future husband, Ken Gilbert, would be born just 13 days later on the other side of the world. While stationed at Misawa Air Base, Japan, during the Korean War, Ken met Yoko on a chance encounter on a train. Almost immediately they knew they were meant for one another and were married shortly after on June 14, 1956. Yoko followed Ken to the United States, where they lived in his hometown of Port Jervis, NY, for nearly 40 years.

Yoko worked full-time as a talented seamstress, while raising four children. She was active in the local community, in her church (Drew United Methodist), and in the lives of each of her children and extended family. After retirement, Yoko and Ken moved to San Antonio, TX, in 1993 where they would spend their golden years. She spent much of her time committed to University United Methodist Church (UMC), and was especially active with their Sunday School Class (The Builders), the Silver Buckets Group, UMC Chimers, Archiver’s Group, and the Quilter’s Guild.

Yoko loved and was loved by everyone she met. She was a constant, humble source of kindness that bound people together. If you knew Yoko, you more than likely have a small, handmade gift from her, a token of her deep respect and affection for you. As she was once quoted, “Small things can make people happy.”

Yoko is survived by her husband Ken, her four children (Emi, Carol, Ken, and Charles), her eight grandchildren (Michelle, Joshua, Gregory, Christina, Nicole, Stevie, Chelsea and Kimberly), and four great-grandchildren (Landon, Aleah, Alyssa, and Arianna). A piece of her loving heart lives on in every soul she touched.