Michelle Anne Hemmerling Gilbert, 51, of Hayes, died Oct. 31, 2012 at Riverside Walter Reed Hospital.

She was born Oct. 20, 1961 to the late Anne Paszek and Richard Hemmerling. Michelle was a Cheektowaga, N.Y., native and graduated from Depew High School, Wildcat Class of 1979.

She joined the United States Army after high school, becoming a UH-1 Huey helicopter mechanic and crew chief. After the disbandment of her unit, she became an Aviation Life Support Technician, where she repaired all the helicopter pilots’ flight gear. She had been in the Army for 34 years.

Her enjoyment in life was the great love she had for her family, especially her only granddaughter, her friends, helicopters, roller coasters and going to the beach at Nags Head. We will miss her greatly.

She was also preceded in death by her husband, Ronnie J. Gilbert, in 2010.

She is survived by her loving daughter, Adrianne Tarantino and husband Tom; cherished granddaughter, Kassandra Anne Tarantino; sister, Mary Ellen Rochester and husband Phil, and a host of loving friends.

A Mass of Christian Funeral conducted by the Rev. James Cowles was held at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 5, 2012, at St. Therese Catholic Church, 6262 Main Street, Gloucester. Interment followed in Hampton Veteran’s Memorial Gardens. The family received friends Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, from 7-8:30 p.m. at Hogg Funeral Home, Gloucester Point.