Ruth Gibney

Ruth Henrietta Gibney, 100.7227 years old, formerly of St. Joseph, passed away on Wednesday, January 11, 2005, at Caretel Inns, St. Joseph. A Celebration of her life will take place at the Margaret Upton Chapel, First Congregational Church in St. Joseph, 10:30 a.m., January 22, 2005 with Rev. Dr. Bob Braman officiating. Internment will follow at Riverview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice at Home, Inc., or the Humane Animal Treatment Society, 1105 South Isabella Road, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, 48858. Friends are invited to send the family a condolence message or sign the guest book on line at www.starks-menchinger.com. Ruth was born in Buffalo, New York, April 22, 1904 to Henry and Magdalena (Evertt) Roth. Finishing the ninth grade after the death of her parents, she worked for the Larkin Soap Company, often modeling for their catalogues. At that time she was a member of the first all-girl fife and drum corp in America. She married James Gibney in 1928, now deceased, and moved to St. Joseph Michigan in 1939. Ruth is a life member of the First Congregational Church and until her death was the oldest living member. She was a life member of the Order of the Eastern Star and served as Worthy Matron. She also served as President for the Jefferson P.T.A. and was a Brownie and Girl Scout leader. Interested in scouting she managed the Girl Scout office in Benton Harbor for many years. Secretarial work led her to Consulting Engineer Magazine and office manager for Modern Mailings in St. Joseph until she retired. Surviving the depression and many wars, her death marks the passing of an era beginning with the crystal radio sets, the gas lamps, the invention of electricity and the time of horses to automobiles. Ruth was a witness to a hundred years of history. For hobbies she enjoyed gardening, tending her many roses and birdwatching. Ruth will be remembered for driving her dearly loved blue Plymouth Valiant with the push button transmission. Nine years ago she moved to Mt. Pleasant, Michigan into assisted living. She remained active and enjoyed visits from her children, grandchildren and many friends. Chronologically gifted, Ruth had a quick sense of humor throughout her lifetime and her unique phrases of the English language will be repeated by her family with fondness. Her strength of character, her lively spirit, and her ability to overcome hardships made her memorable to others. Ruth loved her family and was known to enjoy a glass of beer and a good laugh with them. Ruth is survived by her ?kiddos?, Gail and Don Chapman of Stevensville, Carole Howard of Mt. Pleasant, eight grand children and seven great grand children. She was preceded in death by her two sisters, Alice Mary Roth of St. Joseph and Florence Elizabeth Schnerle of Buffalo, New York.