Elizabeth Gillibrand

Elizabeth Janet Gillibrand, 79, passed away on Sept. 18, 2018, with her family by her side, holding her hands as she left her earthly body. Elizabeth was born Oct. 26, 1938, in Buffalo, N.Y., to Ben and Janet Nowatka. She was the beautiful bride of James Gillibrand for over 60 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Janet Nowatka; brother Tommy Nowatka; and daughter, Elizabeth Gillibrand.

Elizabeth is survived by her loving husband, James Gillibrand; daughters, Kathy Kent of Prescott Valley, Ariz., and Carrie Miliate of Helena, Mont.; and son, Tom Gillibrand and daughter-in-law Sheila of Deer Lodge, Mont.; grandsons, Brandon Miliate, Josh Miliate, Tyler Miliate, Austin Kent and Connor Gillibrand; granddaughters, Brittany Jane Gillibrand; great-granddaughter, Megan Gillibrand; brother, her hero, Paul Nowatka, and his wife, Helen.

She was a woman of faith who always made you feel welcome into her warm home. She was a classy lady whose beauty not only shown from the outside but from the compassion that she showed to her family, friends and all who met her.

Elizabeth spent the last 25 years in Plains, Mont., and did various volunteer work. She enjoyed a variety of jobs in which she could utilize her compassionate skills, which included nursing, administrative assistance, various horse ranches, and the Santa Barbara Sherriff Department. But the most rewarding job she ever held was being a loving mother and wife.