Dorthea “Jane” Gilmore, 79, died of natural causes Monday, March, 10, 2008, at a Burlington, Wash., care center.
Gilmore, a teacher and longtime Havre resident who enjoyed spending time with her family, was an avid reader and enjoyed cooking, traveling and volunteering in her community. Survivors include her four sons, David (Sue) Sprinkle of Anacortes, Wash.; Charles (Gloria) Sprinkle of Libby; Robert (Lynn) of Kalispell; and Jonathan (Dawn) Sprinkle of Havre. Nana will be very missed by her grandchildren, Fred Sprinkle, Ben and Jared Christie; Madison Sprinkle; Tyler and Sienna Sprinkle; Audrey, Jeff and Carona Sprinkle. She is also survived by two great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Jane was born Nov. 29, 1928, in Swansea, Wales, to Albion and Dorothea Prichard. Jane was raised in Derby, England, in the midst of the second world war. Jane met her future husband, Robert, who was stationed in England during the war, at a dance. Jane moved to the United States traveling on the ship the Queen Mary on August 26, 1947, and married Robert S. Sprinkle on September 20, 1947, at St. Gabriel’s Church in Chinook. Robert and Jane had four sons. Robert died of a heart attack in 1970. Jane married Lawrence Thrash in 1972. Lawrence died of cancer in 1977. Jane married Elliot Gilmore in 1981. Elliot died of cancer in 1992. Jane received her bachelor’s degree in education at Northern Montana College in Havre in 1969, and she went on to earn her master’s degree in education. Jane attended school at Montana State University in Bozeman, University of Montana in Missoula and Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash. Jane was a very passionate educator who taught in Frazier and Rocky Boy. She was fascinated by Native American culture and enjoyed learning the customs, traditions and languages of the culture as well as attending powwows and collecting Native American art. Jane traveled extensively across Europe as well as the United States. She was an avid reader who always had a book in her hand. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren to whom she was known as Nana. Jane was very active in her community. She was a member of the VFW and Eagles. She loved to travel in her Dolphin motor home with the Good Sams. She also volunteered at Northern Montana Hospital in Havre. Jane was preceded in death by her parents, sister Audrey, brother Cambell and husbands, Robert Sprinkle, Lawrence Thrash and Elliot Gilmore. Plans for a memorial service are pending.
