Lois Mae "Dolly" Kilbert, 90, of Hermitage, passed away Wednesday, September 09, 2020, in the emergency room of Sharon Regional Medical Center.

Mrs. Kilbert was born February 18, 1930, in Sharon, a daughter of the late William John and Zita Mercedes (McCoy) Thomas. She was a 1948 graduate of Sharpsville High School and earned her Bachelors of Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She also received her certification in deaf education and special needs from Kent (OH) State University.

Lois was a longtime member of St. Joseph's Church, Sharon, where she taught Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) classes for more than 39 years. She also developed and interpreted sign language enabling the deaf and hard of hearing to better follow the celebration of Mass. In recognition of her exemplary virtue and dedication to helping others, she was bestowed the Papal Cross by Pope John Paul, II.

Lois was dedicated to providing opportunities of equality to individuals with special needs. She was solely responsible for the creation and implementation of the speech and sign language program in the Hermitage School District, and directed the program for 28 years. She was also a member of the Shenango Valley Quota Club, which assists those with hearing loss.

Lois served as a co-chairman of the Shenango Valley Committee for Children with Special Needs, where she assisted on the awards committee and started the "Lunch with Santa" program. She was also the chairman and founder of the Shenango Valley Special Games, and participated in numerous fund-raising committees for special needs children.

On an annual basis, Lois took hearing impaired children on camping excursions. She also served as a chaperone for a week-long field trip where she traveled with special needs children to various places throughout the United States and Canada.

Additionally, Lois volunteered at SCI Mercer, where she counseled inmates and taught them how to read.

For her generosity and devotion to her community, she was the recipient of the Shenango Valley Foundation Humanitarian Award, the Toys for Special Needs Award - Erie Chapter, and was a Buhl Day Honoree.

Her husband, William F. Kilbert, whom she married August 27, 1955, passed away March 25, 1986.

She is survived by two daughters, Mary Kay Ferry and her husband Kenneth, of Kent, OH, and Elizabeth Ann Sanford and her significant other Russell Perry, of Hermitage; three sons, Mark W. Kilbert and his wife Terrie, of Erie, Timothy Kilbert, of Kent, and David T. Kilbert and his wife Taryn, of North Carolina; five grandchildren, Allison and Kristen Sanford, and Katie, Kasey and Ethan Seeber.

In addition to her parents and husband, Lois was preceded in death by a sister, Alberta O'Brien; and a brother, William J. Thomas, Jr.

The family suggests memorial contributions be directed to St. Joseph's Church, 79 Case Ave., Sharon, PA 16146.

Calling hours will be noon to 4 p.m. Sunday (09/13/2020) in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 East State St., Sharon.

Mass of Christian burial will be 11 a.m. Monday (09/14/2020) in St. Joseph's Church, 79 Case Ave., Sharon, with Rev. Thomas Whitman and Rev. William O'Brien, as concelebrants.

Interment: St. Rose Cemetery, Hermitage.