Charlotte M. Gilson, 78, resident of the Manchester Presbyterian Lodge, Fairview, PA and formally of 622 Venango Ave., Cambridge Springs, died April 22, 2012 at St. Vincent Health Center, Erie. Born on March 31, 1934 she was a daughter of the late Barton and Florence (Robbins) Sanders in Cambridge Springs. She married Donald L. Gilson on June 21, 1952 and he preceded her in death on December 20, 2005. Until moving to the Manchester Lodge in 2010, Charlotte lived all of her life in Cambridge Springs and LeBoeuf Township, Erie County and graduated from Edinboro High School.

Gilson, Charlotte M.She was employed for over 35 years by the Bush Insurance Company of Cambridge Springs. A member of the First United Methodist Church of Cambridge Springs for over 50 years, Charlotte sang in the choir and served as a choir director.

Charlotte was an accomplished singer and shared her talents in many venues. She was the soloist at countless weddings in the general Cambridge Springs area, but may best be remembered as playing the part of Miss Laurie in Oklahoma, the first Cambridge Springs Community Theatre production. She played other lead and supporting roles in subsequent theatre productions and sang in many local choral groups.

Charlotte will be remembered by all those kids she opened her home to in the 60’s and early 70’s, especially during football season for those players that needed a meal before the big game.

Charlotte will also be remembered as receiving a liver transplant in 1996 and a kidney transplant in 2007. Modern medicine allowed her to live a fairly unencumbered, fulfilling life until just a couple of years ago. Her courage and perseverance in dealing with the transplants and the side effects, inspired all those who knew her.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Donald, to whom she was married for 53 years, Charlotte was preceded in death by two sisters – Charlene Sanders and Alberta (Sanders) Kent.

She is survived by two sons – Ricardo F. Gilson and his wife, Jane and their daughter Kate of Meadville and Donald B. Gilson and his wife, Mary Jane and their son Timothy of Fairview. She is also survived by her brother – Maylon Sanders of Waterford.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Van Matre Family Funeral Home of Cambridge Springs where there will be calling hours from 2 to 4 PM and 7 to 9 PM on Wednesday, April 25th. A calling hour will also be held on Thursday from 10 to 11 AM, April 26th at the First United Methodist Church in Cambridge Springs. The funeral service will follow beginning at 11:00 with interment at Mitchell Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: the First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 204, Cambridge Springs, PA 16403 or the Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, Development Department, Forbes Tower Suite 8084, 3600 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213.