Edith "Gibby" Edson

Edith Gibb "Gibby" Dillon Edson died May 24, 2025 in Annapolis, MD at the age of 98, after a long life filled with adventure, service, art and love. She embraced family and her many friends with acceptance, joy, curiosity and generosity. Gibby thrived on human contact and made friends everywhere. The diversity of those who loved and will miss her surpasses exaggeration. Gibby was an avid student of history and an astute follower of current events. Born in New York City on Oct. 29, 1926, less than a decade after the Great War, Gibby lived long enough to worry about the end of the American Experiment. She was the first child of Allan McLane and Edith Gibb Pratt. She was predeceased by her beloved brothers Allan McLane and Robert M. McLane. Gibby lived in Annapolis from 1987 to the present. She loved large and that included the men in her life. Her dear companion Paul L. Herring passed away in 2021. Her second husband, Robert. K. Edson, died in 2012 after 25 years of marriage. Gibby was married in September 1948 to Thomas P. Dillon after a whirlwind romance that began on the SS America and continued in epistolary form as she toured Europe with her brother. Dillon, then a young Foreign Service Officer, wrote to her almost daily that summer of 1948, often with updates about his "Polish spaniel", Poochie. Gibby was fond of remembering that she had to win Poochie's approval before the betrothal could be sealed. Thomas Dillon died in 1986. As a Foreign Service spouse, Gibby served with Thomas at posts in Switzerland, Iceland, Hong Kong, Czechoslovakia and Washington, D.C. She performed these often underappreciated diplomatic and organizational tasks with grace, charm and wit. People, especially family, the arts, travel and education were among Gibby's passions. She attended the Chapin School in New York City, graduated from the Westover School in 1944 and Vassar College in 1948, earning Phi Beta Kappa. In 1977, she was granted a Master's Degree in Human Service from National Graduate University in Washington, DC. Gibby conducted extensive historical and genealogical research on her great-great grandfather Allen McLane, a hero of the Revolutionary War. She published academic research articles on the history of family paintings. She enjoyed sports on the water: sailing, scuba diving, kayaking and swimming. In recent years, Gibby delighted in working as an artist in oil painting and figure sculptures. On return from overseas service, Gibby devoted many years to community service. She often held leadership positions, including as president of the AAFSW (then called the Association of American Foreign Service Women), at the DC Red Cross (chair, Nursing and Health Programs, 1969-1976), as gerontology consultant at National Graduate University, and as President of All Hallows Guild at the National Cathedral in Washington. After moving to Annapolis, Gibby continued her involvement in community and cultural affairs. She was especially committed to St. John's College as a member of board of the Friends of St. John's College and through the Caritas Society, of which she was a life member since 1988 and president from 1999-2001. The Maryland Federation of Art, Alliance Francaise and Friends of the Arts were among Gibby's other interests. An active member of the Society of Woman Geographers, she served as secretary of the executive council from 2002-2008. She along with Bob Edson were active volunteers in the US Coast Guard Auxiliary from 1987 to 1994. Gibby was a devoted member of St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Annapolis. Associate Rector Patti Sachs was a friend and spiritual guide who provided wonderful support at the end. In addition to her family and wide circle of friends, Gibby leaves a tight network of honored caregivers who became like family in recent years. Survivors include her children, Penelope Jane Dillon of Barre, MA, Susan Gibb Dillon (Rick Keesler) of Essex, MA, Thomas McLane Dillon (Rosemary) of Madison, CT, John Anderson Dillon (Kimberly Hagen) of Middlesex, VT, and Edith Ann Dillon (Thomas L. Fleischner) of Prescott, AZ. Nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren provided great joy, as did her many nieces and nephews. Peter, Josephine and Paula Herring of Annapolis and all the Herrings adopted her as their own and gave much love and support in recent years. Gibby always showed her gratitude for life through her caring for others. She loved to laugh and she loved to party. She was known for her keen intelligence, sound judgment and sense of humor. She was the life of any gathering and was often the first on the dance floor. Her family and friends are blessed that she maintained her grace, optimism and acuity to the very end. To honor Gibby, her family suggests you listen to music, be transported by art, take a walk, hug a child, pat a dog, volunteer and follow her model to embrace life as she lived it – with joy, vitality and open-hearted empathy. A celebration of Gibby's life will be held at 11 am, June 14 in Friendship Hall at the Ginger Cove Retirement Community in Annapolis.