Marian E Gibson

Marian Elizabeth (Birkett) Gibson of Longmont, passed away on August 1, 2012. She was 94. She was born in Washington, Illinois on October 28, 1917, the first of three daughters, to Chester A. Birkett and Elsie E. Birkett (Willhardt).

She graduated from Washington Community High School as the salutatorian of the class of 1935, worked on the line at King Machinery during World War II, at Kroger Grocers in Washington and later as a secretary at Proctor Hospital in Peoria, IL.

She met her future husband, Warren D. Gibson, on a blind date on July 16, 1946 and they were married exactly three years later on July 16, 1949. Together they shared 63 years of marriage and had three children; Gloria Jeanne, Dana Bradford and Tina Elizabeth.

An intelligent woman, Marian had an independent spirit, which continued throughout her life. She was an active person; loved church, being around people, going to parties, dancing, playing (and watching) golf, and was an excellent bridge player even up until the end of her life. She was also an excellent seamstress and made many of her own and daughters clothes. Despite the crushing sadness and grief she experienced with the loss of her firstborn, Gloria Jeanne Gibson at age 19, she thoroughly enjoyed her life and let her exuberance show to all around her. Her zest for life was infectious. Marian was a beloved mother, wife, grandmother and friend and volunteered her time in libraries and hospitals during the period when she was raising her family and not working outside the home.

In 1974, she went back to work for the State Board of Education in Springfield, Illinois and retired from there in 1991. She and her husband, Warren, traveled extensively for a number of years after their retirement and thoroughly enjoyed their freedom to do so. She was born and raised a Methodist and after moving to Colorado in 2007, was a member of Longs Peak United Methodist Church.

Marian is preceded in death by her parents, daughter Gloria, and two sisters, Jean Tiezzi and Patricia Seward. She is survived by her husband Warren, daughter Tina Gibson, and her two grandchildren Tyler and McKenzie Gibson, of Longmont and her son Dana (Kristen) Gibson (and their children Ryan and Jordan), of Duluth Georgia.

Memorial services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at Longs Peak United Methodist Church.