Maria Enriqueta Gibson

María Enriqueta Gibson, born María Enriqueta Díaz Cataldo, passed away peacefully at home with family on July 29, 2023 just after her 100th birthday celebration. Born July 15, 1923 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, she met her husband, Frederick William Gibson at a WWII USO dance benefit where they fell in love and married in 1944. María came to the United States to raise her family but never forgot the beauty of her island and loving family back home. She was fiercely dedicated to her five children, raising them over the span of three and a half decades, supporting all their athletic, artistic, and musical pursuits. She was a skilled seamstress, pianist, piano teacher and loyal charter member of the Northampton Woman’s Club.

María was preceded in death by her husband Fred; her brothers: Arturo, Raúl, and David; her daughter, Diana Gibson, and her grandson, Kevin Blair. She is survived by her lifelong friend and sister, Diana McNamara; her children: Frederick Gibson (Cheryl), Pamela Gibson, Lorelei Szatkowski (George), and Lisette Gibson (Craig Burgdoff); her grandchildren: Robert Blair, Shawn Blair, Jason Gibson, Candace Garlock, Frederick Gibson, Zackary Gibson, Lorelei Nowers, Sarah App, David Szatkowski, Christopher Szatkowski, Ellis Gibson; sixteen great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

To the end of her life, María remained a fun-loving, playful, creative, and determined individual. She was a vibrant and joyful force of nature and will be greatly missed.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 1:00 PM at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 512 Buckroe Avenue, Hampton, VA 23664. Interment will take place afterward at Parklawn Memorial Park, 2551 North Armistead Avenue, Hampton, VA 23666, followed by an intimate reception at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home.

The family encourages attendees to celebrate Maria's life by wearing a touch (or a lot) of pink, in honor of her favorite color.