Veronica Ann Gibbs

Veronica "Cookie" Gibbs passed away in the early hours of Saturday, October 4th, surrounded by loved ones. She is preceded in death by her parents, Rosemary (Stillwagon) and Clair Smith as well as her sister, Mary Skocz. She is survived by her wife, Debra Langellier Hall and all five of her children - Terrence Brian Shea (Providence, RI); Delee Craig Stillwaggin (Shenandoah, VA); Stefanie Hall Longton (Healdsburg, CA); Carrie Hall Hoeltzel (Cranberry Twp, PA), and Eric Hall (Greenville, SC).

She is, in addition, survived by her siblings, David Smith (Erie, PA); Gretchen Cararie (Mars, PA); and 8 grandchildren, Miranda Hope Churchill (Melbourne, Australia) and Fionna Eve Shea (Cardiff, Wales) (Terrence); Dellan and Griffin Longton (Stefanie); Jason, Jr and Parker Hoeltzel (Carrie); Shane and Sebby Hall (Eric).

She spent a foundational part of her life with the Girl Scouts of America, which brought her out of Butler and into the wider world. During her formative years in that storied organization, she composed an original song still sung by Girl Scouts today.

Veronica, who always went by the nickname "Cookie", was born to Rosemary and Clare Smith in 1948 in Butler, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Butler High School, did her undergraduate work at Clarion State University and finished her graduate studies at Slippery Rock University. Cookie's multidisciplinary studies led her to creatively satisfying as well as life-nurturing professions. The bulk of her career was spent as a specialist in addiction treatment, serving as both an inpatient and outpatient therapist, creating and maintaining curriculum that is still in use. Before retiring, Cookie ran a private service, titled About You Counseling with her wife, Deb, and her therapy dog, Sirius Black. She spent ten years of her retirement at The Resort on Carefree Boulevard in North Fort Myers, Florida. While there, Cookie was deeply involved in their Writers Group and served as Events Coordinator as well as co-head of "Cafe on the ROC", providing meals for Carefree residents.

Cookie maintained a passion for theater and was a lifelong performer and singer. Later in life, she found joy in performing with Pittsburgh Pride Choir (formerly Renaissance City Choir) as well as the Carefree Chorus. In addition to her life on the stage, Cookie Produced, Directed and adapted several original scripts for a children's theater in Youngstown, Ohio as well as Farrell Community Theater of Pennsylvania.

Also of significance is her involvement with PFLAG Pittsburgh, the nation's largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them. In addition, Cookie cherished her time working with the National Women's Music Festival.

Her final triumph was the publication of her novel, "Rose Hanlon", a tribute to the courage and determination of Irish immigrants. The novel is a fictionalized historical account of her great-grandmother, Rose Hanlon's immigration from Ireland. So much of who Cookie was can be found in its pages, exemplifying her own courage and determination.

Cookie made a lasting impression on whomever entered her life. She was always a source of comfort, solace, and wisdom. She knew that, regardless of the issue, we have the ability to evolve. As Cookie's loved ones cope with her passing, her life is fondly remembered. They cling to the knowledge that Cookie still has much to give. To her, there were no challenges, just new adventures. Her sage advice to her children, as they turned to her for help, was a universal truth: More Will Be Revealed.

A Celebration of Life event will follow in the coming months. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Pittsburgh Pride Choir. Alternately, support your local Girl Scouts chapter, or just buy 12 boxes of their cookies.