Joanne Medlinsky Gibson

Joanne Medlinsky Gibson died of flu exacerbated by heart and lung disease on January 31, 2025 at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, Virginia. She was predeceased by her daughter Elizabeth Michelle Medlinsky who passed away on January 31, 1996. She is survived by her son, Jon Medlinsky, her stepchildren, Stephanie Gibson, Adam Gibson (Kara Kavensky), Jed Gibson (Sandy Gibson), and five grandchildren.

Joanne was born May 1, 1930, in Baltimore, Maryland, to Henry and Frieda (Deutsch) Taubman. She studied dance at Peabody Institute and graduated from Girls Latin High School in 1948. She earned a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Chicago in 1958, one of three women in her medical school class. Prior to her MD she earned a Master of Science in Pharmacology in 1955. She was one of the very first faculty at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, arriving in the Department of Medicine with the first class of students in 1966 when it was still known as Rutgers Medical School. Subsequently she became Associate Dean for Student Affairs and served in that role until her retirement.

She was the youngest in her large family and had many adventures even before she finished high school. Her worldly spirit was evident at quite a young age when, before she was a teenager, she hitchhiked to Maine with her sister Alyse.

In 1993 Joey married Robert Gibson and moved to Arlington Virginia. There she participated in Encore Learning, taking as many as four courses a semester. Her wide-ranging course selections included climate change, the Bronte novels, cosmology, and religion. A woman of multiple talents and interests she loved to garden and her home was filled with plants. She made clothes for herself and anyone who requested an item, setting up a major sewing room in her house. All her life she was a graceful dancer, getting many others to join her in contra dancing.

Joey was a scientist and an intellectual. Always committed to the news and the world, she read the newspaper daily in paper form. She was always interested in a conversation about current events. Her mind could make sense of anything that came her way (except, of course, the current administration).

Years ago, at Joey's request, a granddaughter gave her a shock of purple hair. Joey kept that purple in her hair, dyeing it herself, until the end of her life and loved that it was a conversation starter in so many situations. When a stranger complimented her on it she would smile, thank them, and agree whole heartedly. She always looked glorious.

Adored by many and missed by all who knew her. A Zoom memorial service will be held this fall.

Donations may be made in Joanne's name to any causes or candidates on ActBlue (https://secure.actblue.com/))