Wanda Lee Sage Gilbert, 81, went home to be with the Lord and to be reunited with her son, Daniel, on March 20th, 2025, surrounded by her loving husband and children.
Wanda was born on March 14th,1944 in Batavia, NY, the daughter of the late Carl and Beatrice Sage. She married Ronald E. Gilbert on January 12th, 1963, with whom she shared 62 cherished years. Together, they have three children; Dawn (Kevin) Fisher, Denise (Darrin) Bull and the late Daniel (Susan) Gilbert, five grandchildren; Erika (Jason) Ranlett, Jessica (Dale) Brumsted, Colleen Fisher, Matthew Gilbert, Jenna Gilbert, and four great-grandchildren; Penelope and Natalie Ranlett, and Hunter and Amelia Brumsted. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Janet Sage, brother-in-law, Leon Moore, several cousins, nieces and nephews.
A life-long resident of the town of Alabama, Wanda was a 1961 graduate of Oakfield-Alabama Central School District. She continued her education at Harper Beauty School in Rochester, NY, where she graduated as a licensed cosmetologist. Prior to beginning her career outside of her home, she was a stay-at-home mother with her three children, a time in her life that she treasured. She was a secretary for Tyler Truck Lines in Oakfield, NY, for 29 years and was also an assistant in the attendance and nurse’s office at the Oakfield-Alabama Central School District for 10 years.
Wanda was a parishioner of St. Cecilia’s in Oakfield. She held the position of Board Member of the Down Syndrome Parent Support Group of Genesee County and was a member of ARC Glow. Wanda was a talented seamstress, doll maker, and hairdresser. She enjoyed admiring her flower gardens, watching her son coach and her grandchildren play ball, and her special afternoon chats and snacks with her granddaughter, Colleen. She was devoted to her family and faith and above all, loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her beloved son, Daniel Gilbert, her brothers, Eugene Sage, William “Billy” Sage, and Donald Sage, father and mother-in-law Earl and Myrtle Gilbert, brother and sister in-law Andrew and Patricia Zigrossi and sister-in-law Ann Marie Moore.
There will be no prior calling hours. Family and friends are invited to attend her Mass of Christian burial on Wednesday, March 26th at 9:30am at St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church, 56 Maple Ave., Oakfield, NY 14125. Wanda will be laid to rest in St. Cecilia Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Oakfield-Alabama Dollars for Scholars, Dan Gilbert Memorial Scholarship or Down Syndrome Parent Support Group of Genesee County, Inc.
To leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle in her memory, please visit www.burdettandsanford.com. Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Burdett & Sanford Funeral Home, 11 Maple Avenue, Oakfield.
