Donna quietly passed away on Oct. 28, 2010, with her family surrounding her at her hospital bed side after a 10-month struggle with brain cancer. She was born May 7, 1946, in Coeur d'Alene, to Richard Ray Gilbert and Frances Esther-Mae Laudenback.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Chee Chee Marie Barr (Gilbert) and her brother, Leslie Lee Gilbert.

She is survived by her brother, Rick Gilbert and her sister, Sheri Smith (Gilbert), both from Post Falls. Her eight children Kenny Pearson and his wife Gracie Pearson, Mindy Ellison (Pearson) and her husband Bruce, Tammy Brown (Pearson), Albertine Anderson (Pearson) and her husband Mike, Mylissa Crisp (Pearson) and her husband Bill, Robbie Pearson, Brandon Pearson and Nicole McDonald (Pearson) and her husband Mathew. She also has 12 grandchildren. All children and grandchildren reside in the Spokane/Coeur d'Alene area.

Donna will be remembered by her family as a person who loved Sci-Fi, homemade salsas and crocheting. She will be missed by all and we know that she is now in a better place. The family wishes to thank Cancer Care Northwest for their compassion and quality care that was given to Donna.

A private celebration of life will be held in her memory from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010, at 2910 S. Avalon, Spokane Valley.