The New Era - All about Sweet Home since 1929

Aug. 12, 1922 - Dec. 2, 2020

Emilie Eugenie Gibson, 98, of Sweet Home, died Dec. 2, 2020 in Happy Valley.

She was born Aug. 12, 1922 in Manitoba, Canada, to Jean and Clairie Chabbert.

She was raised with her two brothers and had one sister, Marie, who preceded her siblings in death at a young age.

She moved to the United States when she was 3 years old and grew into a strong, hard-working woman of faith.

Over the years, she held many jobs, including serving as a governess to the family of U.S. Sen. Rufus C. Holman, as a shoe model for Diana Ross and as a retail clerk.

While working as a waitress at Portland’s Lincoln Tavern in 1943, she was dared by a co-worker to “kiss the next guy that walks through the door.” She kissed the handsome sailor who was the next one through the door and shortly after, on Aug. 7, 1943, she became the wife of Merchant Marine Frederick Louis Gibson.

The Gibsons were blessed with four children, 10 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Mrs. Gibson loved her family and made sure they knew she was thinking about them even though she didn’t always get to see them.

She will be remembered for her sense of humor, the many telling “looks” she might throw across the room at people, and her absolute need to know everybody’s business.

Her children recall her motherly love, the “bath days” when their mother would gently wash their hair in the sink and make sure they were ready to face the week. Favorite memories include the times they got to fall asleep in her lap.

Mrs. Gibson enjoyed life. She especially liked to crochet and do needlepoint. She often made afghan blankets for family members.

She and Mr. Gibson liked to travel to Reno, Nev., occasionally to roll the dice on some gambling.

Her family and friends will remember how much she loved hamburgers and French toast, stating that if it was too early for a hamburger, her choice was definitely French toast.

She is survived by her children, Leon Gibson, Jack and daughter-in-law Velvet Gibson, Anita and son-in-law Ed Nork, and Paul and daughter-in-law Diane Gibson; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; great-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and too many loving friends to count.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Frederick; her parents; her sister Marie; and brothers Leon and Darwin.

A shelter service was held Dec. 11 at Willamette National Cemetery, 11800 Mt. Scott Blvd., Portland, where she was buried next to her husband.

Donations may be made in her honor to Tenderly Hospice, 9500 SW Barbur Blvd., 260, Portland, OR 97219.

Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.