On July 14, 2025, Elana Koren Gilbert (maiden name Read) took her last earthly breaths at her home in Tampa, Fla., surrounded by her husband Justin Gilbert, family, friends and beloved fur babies, after a long and heroic battle with metastatic breast cancer. She was 38 years old.
Born March 24, 1987, in Bennington, Vt. to parents Tom Read and Barbara Kiyuna (Glick), and big sister Meriel, Elana was a force of energy and light from her earliest days until — and beyond — her last. She loved deeply and without reservation, and her electric spirit was undeniably felt by all of those lucky enough to have spent time with her. Her genuine care for the wellbeing of others blanketed those closest to her in palpable love, but her care extended beyond those who were closest to her as she remained a fierce advocate for social justice and a generous empath for all creatures until her last moments on earth.
Elana was a remarkably talented singer and songwriter, discovering a true joy in music at an early age. She studied music at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass., and would go on to perform across the globe at venues small and large – from coffee shops to stadiums to backyard open mics. Her stunning and soulful voice can still be enjoyed on Spotify, YouTube, and Instagram where she posted many creative covers as well as her brilliant original music.
Elana met the love of her life, Justin Gilbert, in Okinawa, Japan in 2010 where he was stationed with the Air Force while she was staying with her mother who also works for the Department of Defense in Okinawa. Elana and Justin were married in Germany on Oct. 13, 2014 and lived in multiple locations together throughout Europe and the United States, ultimately moving to Tampa, Florida in 2019 following her initial cancer diagnosis. Elana and Justin lived with their beloved dogs Sasha (deceased 2023) and Fenrir, and cats Lady (deceased 2022), Triscuits and Cleo. They enjoyed traveling the world together, mountain biking, and off-roading in their Jeep.
Elana was incredibly close with her sister Meriel and her two beloved nieces Ellie (6) and Olivia (5 months), and was an integral part of the girls’ daily lives and upbringing.
Elana was a relentless advocate for social justice, access to quality healthcare, and cancer research and was active with multiple organizations that worked to better the lives of those living with metastatic breast cancer and fund advancements towards a cure. She donated countless hours of her talent and energy, even when she was struggling through brutal treatments herself, and was always ready and eager to be a support system for anyone who needed it.
Elana is survived by her husband Justin Gilbert, her parents Tom Read and Barbara Kiyuna, sister Meriel Lesseig, brother-in-law Ryan Lesseig, nieces Ellie and Olivia Lesseig, parents-in-law Gary and Gabby Gilbert and brother and sister-in-law Patrick and Taelor Gilbert, her beloved furbabies, and countless other dear family members and friends.
While she spent her final years of her life in Florida, Elana always considered herself a true Vermonter and was most at peace in the Green Mountains where she grew up hiking. As such, a memorial celebration of life will be held for Elana in Woodstock in addition to the Florida memorial which took place earlier in September.
Elana’s memorial celebration will take place Oct. 18, 2025, the Little Theater in Woodstock. All who loved Elana are welcome to attend. For more information on the upcoming celebration or share memories or condolences, please visit everloved.com.
