Roena M. Gibbs

[ Originally published on: Tuesday, July 27, 2010 ]

SOUTH DEERFIELD -- Roena M. (Dwyer) Gibbs Gibowicz, 91, of Conway Road, died Monday (7-26-10) at Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield.

She was born in Greenfield on Jan. 21, 1919, the daughter of D. Warner and Mabel R. (Fisher) Dwyer. She was a graduate of Greenfield High School and had been a resident of West Deerfield prior to moving to South Deerfield in 1967.

She owned and worked a dairy farm with her late husband, Edward, in West Deerfield from 1948-1967, when she moved with him to their home on Conway Road.

She also worked as a silver plater at Lunt Silversmiths until 1984. During that time she made many friends with whom she traveled extensively. She was a ''gallivanter,'' spending weekends with friends and family on short trips. She was happy to go anywhere.

She was a lifetime member of Robbins Memorial Church in Greenfield, an acting camp counselor as a teenager, as well as a Sunday school teacher. She enjoyed many years of Robbins' pie making and was honored several times as ''the longest living member'' of the church, a fact of which she was very proud. She was dedicated to her church and rarely, if ever, missed a service.

Roena enjoyed reading, crossword and jigsaw puzzles, and excelled at card games as any willing opponent soon learned. Card partners knew well her phrase, ''I rest my case.''

She had a quick wit and come-back for everyone, along with her own special repertoire of unique songs and ditties. She would sing these at a moment's notice to the enjoyment of all who heard her.

Roena was a cherished family presence, always available and always caring. She loved her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren with unwavering strength and always unconditionally.

She spoke often of her sister-in-law, Mary, and their friend, Issie, who in their younger years had some fine escapades and called themselves ''The Three Musketeers.''

Roena really never met a person without seeing the good in them. No one left her presence, long visit or short, without a smile on their face and a feeling that they had been seen in a shining light. She was a most special person herself with a beautiful spirit and her own true shining light.

Her husband, Edward S. Gibbs Gibowicz, predeceased her on July 28, 2009.

Survivors include three daughters, Jane Elizabeth Gibbs of Turners Falls, Judith Ann Ruggles of South Deerfield and Susan J. Dinan and her husband James of Greenfield; three grandchildren, Brenda Bialecki Burnham and her husband Ray, Deana B. Muzyka and April Reipold and her husband Michael; four great-grandchildren, Nolan and Jared Muzyka and Edward and Elizabeth Roena Reipold as well as several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. in Robbins Memorial Church, 55 Munson St., Greenfield, with the Rev. Deborah Cory, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in Green River Cemetery.

A calling hour at the Kostanski Funeral Home, 220 Federal St., Greenfield, will be Wednesday from 9:30-10:30 a.m.

The family wishes to thank in a special way the following caregivers for their love and compassionate care for our mom: Tasha, Jenele, Julie and Samantha.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.

Sympathy message available at:

www.kostanskifuneralhome.com

 

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