Jessie GIBBONS

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GIBBONS: Jessie June 17, 1918, Transcona, MB. – December 7, 2014 - Dinsdale Personal Care Home, Brandon, MB. Jessie was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Bill Gibbons, her sisters, Isa Attridge, Lily Anderson, and brother Charlie Irvine. Jessie is survived by her children – Betty (Martin) Moyer, Loraine (Ambrose) Moyer, Edith (Edmund) Wittenberg, Kelly (Barb) Gibbons, and Gwen (Grant) Tweed, as well as 10 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and one great, great grandson. Jessie and Bill were married in 1937. They farmed in Rapid City area for many years, moved to B.C. for three years, then returned to farm in Manitoba in 1955. For many years Bill worked away from home, and farmed as well. Jessie kept the farm going, and when Bill was home, they worked together. Mom could run pretty well all the farm equipment, stook sheaves, bale hay, milk cows – she could do it all, working harder than a lot of men - and still come in and prepare a meal for the family. Mom always said, if you turn the stove up real high, it won’t take long to get supper cooked! After Bill had his farm accident in 1978 where he lost the use of his hands, Jessie stayed by his side in Winnipeg for 1 1/2 months. She’d stay at the hospital all day, then catch the bus to her brother-in-law’s place - often waiting alone for the bus near Portage and Main – No fear, this woman from Onanole. She just did what she had to do. Upon their return to Onanole, Jessie continued to care for Bill.Mom learned to crochet at the age of 70, and creating afghans became her passion. Mom was not only creative, but very organized and detailed – her records show she crocheted 220 afghans, as well as what the colors were, who received the afghans, and what the occasion was. Mom completed her last afghan when she was 90. Mom loved gardening, and turned their large yard in Onanole into a beautiful space, with beautiful flowers everywhere, and grass that was always trimmed. She and dad enjoyed working in the yard together, and then sitting on the deck admiring the view. Bill and Jessie enjoyed snowmobiling with the family, and mom continued snowmobiling until she was 80. Mom loved family get togethers, she loved to laugh and joke, she loved to catch someone up on April Fool’s Day pranks – everyone was fair game. Our family knew the funniest side of mom – while to others, she may have seemed shy and quiet. You know the old saying - still waters run deep! Mom worked hard all her life, but always kept her great sense of humor, and her kind, gentle ways. Lately, when asked if she’d enjoyed her life, working on the farm the way she did, she replied that, yes, she’d had a good life, and enjoyed the work – it really wasn’t work, if you enjoyed what you were doing. A gentle soul has left us, but many wonderful memories remain. Thanks mom. Honorary Pallbearers will be all in attendance.Interment, attended by family, will precede the memorial service. Memorial service to be held Friday, December 12, 2014 at 2:00 P.M. at Minnedosa Funeral Chapel, Minnedosa followed by time of fellowship and lunch. Elgin Hall will officiate. Remembrances and condolences may be emailed to raesfs@mymts.netIn lieu of flowers, if you wish, donations may be made to the Dinsdale Personal Care Home, Brandon, Manitoba, or a charity of your choice. Rae’s Funeral Service of Erickson in care of the arrangements. (204) 636-7727.

As published in Brandon Sun on Dec 11, 2014