Ruth J. Gibson

Ruth Barbara (Jack) Gibson, 101, died Sunday, February 23, 2025 at Brookdale Senior Living in Staunton, Virginia. 

She was born January 4, 1924, in Providence, Rhode Island, the daughter of the late Esther Lindstrom and William Sinclair Jack. 

After the end of WWII, she married John Williams Gibson in Providence and they soon began their family. Eventually, the Gibsons moved to Guilford, CT, where they lived on Clapboard Hill Road for many years. John’s work brought the family to Liege, Belgium for five years, but they eventually returned to the CT Shoreline, spending several decades in Madison.

Over the years, Ruth loved to host friends and family, whether it was for holidays, bible studies, special occasions, or for no reason at all. Always very social, she was very active in the various church homes she found through the years. A longtime member of Grace Episcopal Church in Old Saybrook, CT, she also found community at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Hanover, NH and the Anglican Church of the Valley in Staunton, Virginia during her final years. She also loved to knit, at one point making afghans for her children and grandchildren, and was a master pie maker.

Ruth’s greatest role, however, was that of grandmother. Despite a difficult childhood, she created a home and environment that was full of love and security for her grandchildren. Ruth made sure to have special trips planned when the grandchildren were around. Whether it was going to get books at RJ Julia’s, spending time at Hammonasset Beach State Park, or visiting whatever new cafe or shop she had discovered, there was always an adventure to be had. Even an errand like picking someone up from school could turn into a surprise picnic. After leaving Connecticut to be closer to family, Ruth spent her later years in New Hampshire and Virginia.

Ruth was predeceased by her husband, John, after almost 70 years of marriage. She was also predeceased by her sister, Jean (Jack) Dempsey. 

She is survived by her sister, Claire (Jack) Sluiter, of Middlebury, Vermont; her sons, John W. Gibson, Jr. (Lisa) of Staunton, VA and David J. Gibson (Dulany) of Princeton, NJ; her daughter, Ann Gibson Chalker (Skip), of White River Junction, VT; seven grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. 

A graveside service will be held at a later date in Greenwood Cemetery, in Coventry, RI.