Jenny Gilburg

The family and friends of Jenny Gilburg are saddened with her passing on May 25, 2021 at 87 years of age. Jenny Gilburg was born on August 26, 1933 in Seba Beach Alberta to Veronica and Andrew Rybinski.  Jenny was raised in Seba Beach on a homestead farm with her younger twin brothers Edward and Gene. She worked on the farm and enjoyed swimming at Seba Beach and fishing for white fish on the lake.

She attended Seba beach school where after completing grade 12 she joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1953 where she was trained in communications & teletype. She met James Michael Gilburg at Air Force Station Edmonton within a few months of joining. After a 6 months engagement they were married on June 18 1955 while still in the armed forces. They were in the Air Force for 3 years and then stayed living in Edmonton afterwards where she worked as a teletype operator for the army.

Jenny & Mike had 3 children while in Edmonton, twins Lana and Leslie and 3 years later, Christopher. They stayed in Edmonton until 1960 when they moved to Vancouver British Columbia

Jenny was a stay at home mom while in Vancouver.  After a year they moved to Richmond where the fourth child, John was born. Mom worked at several jobs including Steveston Packers and Simpson Sears while raising 4 children. She encouraged the children to participate in various activities such as soccer, dance, marching bands and Boys’ and girls’ clubs.

In 1973 during the Salmon Arm Fly Hills fire the family moved to Salmon Arm not knowing it they would still have a house there. Jenny worked at Simpson Sears in Salmon Arm for a combined total of 25 Years with Sears. Jenny also kept the books for the family excavating business, Shuswap Inland contractors. She enjoyed toll painting, painting & music. She attended 25 consecutive years of the Roots and Blues music festival. Mike and Jenny had lots of friends in Salmon Arm and spent lots time socializing with them. They truly enjoyed the Shuswap Lake lifestyle with a lakeside residence in canoe, several boats and a 3 house boats for recreation.   

Following her retirement, Mom became a volunteer with the hospital auxiliary fund raising. She enjoyed her time with her Kids, 4 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

Jenny was predeceased by Mother Vera and Father Andrew, Father in Law John Gilbert, Brother Gene Rybinski, and Daughter Lana.

She leaves her Husband Mike, Brother and Sister in Law, Edward and Stephanie Rybinski, Sister in Law Joan Gilbert, Children, Les (Nancy), Chris (Janice), John, Grandchildren, Andy, Laura (Daniel), Samantha, Sara, and Great Grandchildren Lana, Sawyer and Scotlyn.

The family express many thanks to Doctor Plessis and staff for their dedication and service provided to Jenny.

Mike and family invite you to join them in a Celebration of life service and reception in the Elk’s Hall, 3690 30th street NE (North Broadview) on Saturday morning, July 16, 2022 at 11 a.m.

She is well remembered and respected for all her years of dedication in the community and work with the Royal Canadian Legion and years with the Hospital Women’s Auxiliary.