Mary Catherine Gibson

1933 - 2017

Mary Catherine Gibson

February 3, 1933 - February 24, 2017

Mary Catherine Gibson, 84, died February 24, 2017 at the Westminster Village Nursing Facility. The eldest of five children, Mary Catherine was born in Louisville, Kentucky on February 3, 1933 to Charles and Alice Gibson. She was raised in Terre Haute and attended Sacred Heart grade school. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Jean Gibson, and first husband James P. Dooley.

Mary Catherine was a Sister of Providence at St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana for 20 years. She was profoundly influenced by the women there, both intellectually and spiritually. While a Sister of Providence, she taught in schools in Chicago, Fort Wayne, Sellersburg, and New Albany, and served as principal of St. Andrew's School in Indianapolis.

Upon leaving the convent, Mary Catherine was hired by Wayne Township Schools in Indianapolis, where she taught at Chapel Glen, Chapel Wood, and Robey Elementary.

In later years, she was involved with the people of St. Bridget Church as they continued to be a faith family after the church was closed.

Mary Catherine had a strong commitment to human rights across the globe. She completed mission trips and traveled extensively. Most important to Mary Catherine was her large extended family. She had a tremendous impact on the lives of her nieces and nephews throughout her life.

Mary Catherine is survived by her loving husband, Dr. Robert Meissel, sister Jane Gibson S.P., brother Charlie Gibson (Rebecca), sister Margaret Miller, as well as nieces and nephews Lisa Cisneros, Greg Miller-Breetz (Julie), Gwen Sebastian (Al), Carolyn Miller, Angie Dixon (Chris), Lesley Arnold (Mike), Steve Miller (Jenny Goodwin), Doug CohenMiller (Anna), and 19 great nieces and nephews. Also, stepchildren Douglas Meissel, Barbara Meissel-Bush (Russ), David Meissel (Tracie), Sue Meissel-Tarpen and their children.

A memorial Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Church in Terre Haute on Thursday, March 2nd at 10:00 a.m., with a luncheon held afterward in the Parish Life Center. Mary Catherine requested that her body be donated to the Indiana University School of Medicine.

In lieu of flowers, Mary Catherine requested that we please plant trees. She wrote that "even a very small sapling, if given space, sunshine and water, will grow well and will provide oxygen for people, shelter for birds and animals; and, shade from our energy-giving sun."