Dorothea June “Dot” Gilbert, age 89, of Helena passed away at her home in Helena, May 31, 2025. Dorothea was born Dorothea Sass. She was a native of Montana. Dot was born in Winston, Montana April 6, 1936, to Michael and Josephine Marie (Diehl) Sass
She went to school in Townsend for a time and when her family moved to Helena Dot became a Helena High Bengal, attending and graduating from Helena High School in 1954. She met the love of her life Bill Gilbert in high school, they became sweethearts and were married at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Helena August 4, 1956.
Bill and Dot resided in Helena their entire life, Bill was a coach and teacher in the Helena School District. Bill coached basketball, track and cross country. Dot was his right-hand woman and traveled with the team in all its games and meeting.
Two children were born to this marriage, Son, Kelley and daughter Kristy. Both reside in Helena as well. When Kelley was coaching cross country for Helena High, Bill and Dot were the water boy and girl, they loved the sport and the kids that ran. They were at every practice and every event.
In addition to helping Bill with all his coaching endeavors, Dot also worked for the school district. She worked at Ray Bjorke for several years. Dot’s passion was shopping and buying. She is also a lover of the sun. She spent many hours enjoying her deck and the sunshine and had a beautiful tan to show for it.
During her working career, Dot worked for Mountain Bell Telephone for a period of 10 years and for the Helena School District for 27 years prior to retirement.
Dot was preceded in death by her parents, Michael Sass and Josephine (Diehl) Sass (Guffey); brothers, Mike Sass and Edward Mantel; sisters, Mary Jane Anstine, Judy Zuroff and Annabelle (Muggs)Bridgewater.
She is survived by her husband, William Arnold “Bill” Gilbert; daughter, Kristy Gilbert and son, Kelley Gilbert all of Helena.
No formal funeral ceremony will be held at this time. Her cremation arrangements were made through Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home in Helena. Memorials in Dot’s name are suggested to a charity or organization of the donor’s choice.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Sheri Muller says
Mr. Gilbert, Kelley and Kristy,
So sorry to hear about Dot. I have so many memories growing up and spending time with your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sheri Strandberg Muller
Helen Diehl Hoffman says
Kristy and Kelley,
Your family has been in my prayers for a long time. Memories of good times past are a gift that are ours to keep.
Dot is at peace. God Bless.
Helen Diehl Hoffman
Mary T. Spaulding says
Dear Mr Gilbert and family,
My deepest sympathy to you and your family in the loss of your wonderful Dot. My son, Corey Hill, loved the times he spent with you when he ran cross country for Helena High and my son Michael and I knew Dot from Ray Bjork when he went to school there. I really enjoyed the visits we used to have. She was such a beautiful person and she will be missed by so many.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Mary, Corey and Mike
Terry Beaver says
Dot…A blessing to have lived
. A mother figure for every Bengal runner if you finished first or fifty first.
. In down parker, blankets, stadium seats, coolers,
. and more blankets, Dot was ready for another Montana track meet
. Cheerleaders last for 4 years, the ultimate cheerleader went for 40 plus. Thanks Dot
. As an Elementary school secretary, she served as a mother figure for little kids while their mothers were not near.
. Dot found that to raise a coach was so much long.er and more difficult than raising kids— at 20 the kids left, at 80 the coach was still there.
. She will be greeted in Heaven by other coaches Angels who have preceded her in this journey
. She will now re-live the many memories that had been forgotten
. Because she lived there will still be joy
Patty, one of the Angels and Terry
Anne M Blotkamp says
Dear Dot will always be in my heart. She was the glue, the “BOSS” at Ray Bjork! Our small school shared a principal with other buildings but Dot was always there and our go-to person. I fondly remember her beautiful smile and giggle/laugh, her quick scurry around the office, and was the recipient of many small gifts from her shopping forays!! She took care of many a kid as well as the teachers at our school. She has left this world a better place and will remain in the hearts of many people. She was a jewel!
David Pepin says
As the secretary of Ray Bjork School Dot could be best described as the model of efficiency and order. Goodness toward students, parents and teachers was part of her daily life. Loyalty to the school was strong and valued by all. She will be remembered by so many.
Bernie Hartman says
Hearing of Dots passing rekindled so many fond memories of the two years I worked with her at Ray Bjork School (1975-1977. She was the perfect secretary for the school that shared a principal with another school. Being professional, efficient, kind and caring came naturally for her, that is who she was. Not only did she know all the students by name but their parents as well. She was a vital and contributing member of the staff who always wanted what was best for the children in our care. It was a real joy to have had her as a friend and colleague. I wish that I would have had the opportunity to have worked with her for a longer period of time but I am thankful for her special contributions and memories.
Jim Stipcich says
Coach Gilbert (Bill), Kelly and Kristy
My deepest sympathy for your loss. As one of those runners that was blessed to receive your Mom and wife’s support during my years of running in track and cross country I can tell you she made a huge difference for me. And she always was a pleasure to see and talk to over the years since. Frankly at times she remembered things about my past that I had forgotten. What a blessing she was to all whose lives she touched. She will certainly be rewarded for her kindness and caring in her afterlife. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all.
Darlene Abeyta says
My condolences to your family Bill . I enjoyed knowing Dot while working at Edgewood. She was a delight. Dennis talked
Fondly of her. He passed 2 months ago. May they meet each other in heaven . And watch over us.
Nicci Jasmin says
Auntie Dot, with her infectious laugh, put together outfits, coiffed hair, was a welcome fixture in my life and later in my daughter’s lives. She was the queen of the holiday buffets rising early to “put the bird in the oven.” There were salads galore, relish dishes, and a fizzy punch with ice cream or sherbet which was my favorite. When I began my teaching career, I was fortunate enough to sub at Ray Bjork where Auntie Dot was the school secretary (more like the school principal). I witnessed how much the students loved her almost as much as I did.
Nicci Jasmin
Larry Sem says
So sorry to hear about the passing of your Mother, Dot. My heart goes out to Kristy & Ken and Kelly as well as to the entire family and the universe of friends to will surely miss her. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.