Mary Jane Gibbs
Mary Jane Gibbs, (née Meehan), 102 years old, of La Grange Park passed away peacefully on December 13, 2022.
Mary Jane was the wife of the late William T. Gibbs. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Helen Meehan, brother Lt. William J Meehan Jr., daughter Maggie Gibbs and daughter-in-law Sheila Gibbs.
She was the loving mother of Thomas Gibbs, Nancy Gibbs and Barbara Violante (Joseph).
Dear Grandmother of William Gibbs (Kate), Patrick Gibbs( Sarah), Edmund Gibbs(Meghan), Carolyn Broughton ( Christopher), Theresa Rhea (Mark), Martha Violante (Christopher Starbody), Laura Violante( Juanse Garcia), Sara Violante (Josh Rosen), Nora Violante( Patrick Durham).
Great-grandmother of 22, Grace, Conor and Luke, Thomas, Margaret, Hugh and Frannie, Mary Shea, Crowley, Edmund and Quinn, Maura and Cecilia Broughton. Brennan, Hadley, Landon and Emery Rhea, Luca and Livia Garcia, Hank, Maggie and James Rosen.
Mary Jane was an avid bridge player, loved golfing, traveling, reading a good mystery, volunteering and spending time with family and friends. She was always making new friends wherever she went, young and old. Her infectious smile lit up the room wherever she went.
She grew up in the South Shore neighborhood where she spent her childhood and made her home with her husband and four children. After leaving South Shore in 1971, she moved to the western suburbs, where she continued old friendships and cultivated new ones, playing golf and bridge. After moving in 2015 to Plymouth Place she enjoyed new friendships and was active up to her last day visiting with residents and spending time with her best friend, Lou.
She was always active and spent numerous hours volunteering for Mt. Carmel High School and was awarded an honorary alumna from Mt. Carmel High School in 2014. Her other volunteer work included cleaning the altar at St. John of the Cross, driving patients to doctor appointments and serving food to the homeless. She was an inspiration to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was a wonderful example of living life to the fullest. She will be truly missed by all who knew her but know that she will always be a part of all of us as we continue her lasting legacy.
The family would like to thank Sabrina and Didi with our heartfelt appreciation for the loving care they gave her in the last few months.
Visitation on Monday, December 19 from 3-7pm at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 West 55th Street, Countryside. A funeral Mass to celebrate her life will be on Tuesday, December 20 at 11am at St. John of the Cross Church in Western Springs.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to Mercy Home for Boys and Girls – 1140 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60607, Mt. Carmel High School – 6410 S. Dante Ave., Chicago, IL 60637, or Misericordia Heart of Mercy – Attn: Sister Rosemary Connelly, 6300 North Ridge Avenue, Chicago, IL 60660. Funeral Information at 708-352-6500 or HJFunerals.com
Dear Tom, Nancy and Barbara,
I have fond memories of your Mom growing
up in our beloved South Shore. She sure led a long
and rewarding life. I remember her play bridge woth my Mom back in the day. I will keep her and you guys in my prayers.
I have always been grateful to Mary Jane for her interest in me and in my children. Her concern has widened my children’s lives in many ways.
Prayers to the Gibbs family. Rest in Peace, Mary Jane.
I fondly remember the many times, with my son Jamie, bringing Mrs. Gibbs’ Christmas Tree from the Y lot in LaGrange and set it up in her living room at Graue Mill. We all had a good laugh when she told us she could not wait to tell Tom what the ‘Cusack boys’ had done for her! Her smile was ever-present and a blessing to all. What a great lady. I am privileged to have so many fond memories of our times together.