Sandra Bertelsen Gilbert died Tuesday. She was 47.
Born in Spokane, Wash., she grew up in Cromwell, Minn. and Minneapolis, later moving to Philadelphia and in 1987 to Princeton. She moved to Hopewell Township in 1987.
A partner in Princeton Properties Inc. since 1999, Mrs. Gilbert’s real estate career began at Toll Brothers Inc. as an assistant vice president for land acquisitions and development. She served as vice president of the real estate division with Chemical Bank New Jersey before joining the Princeton office of Avalon Properties, where she directed the development of several regional multi-family residential projects.
She was active in several professional organizations, served on the board of the New Jersey Apartment Association, and was a charter member of Commercial Real Estate Women in Philadelphia.
Mrs. Gilbert received her bachelor’s degree, with distinction, from the University of Minnesota and her master’s degree from the Wharton School in Philadelphia.
Her interests included gardening, cooking and carpentry. Mrs. Gilbert excelled at fiber arts, designing and crafting loomed and hand-knit sweaters and garments for family and friends. She enjoyed traveling back to Minnesota and spent time at her parents’ vacation home on Lake Superior fishing, snowmobiling and pursuing other outdoor activities.
Mrs. Gilbert is survived by her parents Anita and Floyd Bertelsen of Minneapolis and Hovland, Minn.; husband Steve Gilbert; sons Max and Peder of Hopewell Township; brother and sister-in-law Lyle and Wendi Bertelsen and their children Cole and Alaina of Afton, Minn.; grandmother Sally Parviainen of Duluth, Minn.; and other family members and friends.
Services will be 11 a.m. Friday at Temple Kehilat Hanahar, 85 West Mechanic St., New Hope, Pa.
Burial will be at Princeton Cemetery.
Visitors are welcome to call at the Gilbert home 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made The American Brain Tumor Association, 2720 River Road, Suite 146, Des Plaines, IL 60018.
Arrangements are by Kimble Funeral Home, Princeton.
