Ruth Karyn Windle GIBSON

Ruth Kathryn Windle Gibson

Ruth Kathryn Windle Gibson of Lynchburg, died on Aug. 3, 2008, at Westminster-Canterbury. Born in 1909 in Chester County, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of Gertrude and Edward Lewis Windle. She was the beloved wife of Frederick David Gibson, who died in 1996. During their 57 years of marriage they lived at Crest View Farm, Parkesburg, Pa., Mt. Dora and Tavares, Fla., and Tel Hai, Honey Brook, Pa.

Ruth was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. She is survived by her children who include: Frederick Windle Gibson and his wife, Susan, of San Jose, Calif.; Gail Gibson Kowalski and husband, Ken, of Lynchburg; and Anne Marie Gibson Chapin and husband, Dayton, of Breckenridge, Colo. Her grandchildren are Theresa Ruth Rogers, Frederick Clifford Gibson, Kurtis Dayton Chapin, Scott Windle Kowalski, Cynthia Lynne Carpenter, Erik Allan Chapin and Kathryn Kowalski Place. Her grandson, John Charles Gibson, preceded her in death.

Ruth's great-grandchildren include Mackenzie David Place, Mason Scott Rogers, Brent Daniel Carpenter, Blake Jon Carpenter, Brianna Rose Ruth Rogers, Brittany Lynne Carpenter, Kathryn Grace Kowalski, Chloe Barrett Chapin, Karli Gibson Chapin, Lily Noel Kowalski, Sophia Irmgard Gibson, Parke Elwood Chapin, Eve Windle Kowalski, Abigail Ruth Place, Dayton Tadhg Chapin, Graham Rush Kowalski and Mary Kathryn Place.

She was a registered nurse and graduated from Coatesville Hospital School of Nursing. Her career included nursing at the Trudeau Tuberculosis Sanitorium in Saranac Lake, N.Y., in the 1930s and at Embreeville State Hospital, Penn., in the 1950s. She loved the outdoors, nature, sunsets and sunrises, flowers and music. She enjoyed opportunities to share with her family her appreciation of her country, ancestry, genealogy and wonderful stories of family history and events. She has passed this wonderful legacy on to the next generation.

She was a member of the Chester County Historical Society and was very interested in the history of Highland Township. For many years she was an active volunteer for the Chester County Association for the Blind.

Ruth was a faithful member of numerous churches and her religious faith was a very important part of her life. For many years she was an active member of Upper Octorara Presbyterian Church in Parkesburg, Pa., and was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Lynchburg, at the time of her death.

A memorial service will be held in Parkesburg later in the fall.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the wonderful staff who cared for her at Westminster-Canterbury (6th floor, Drinkard Health Center). They have been loving and caring special friends for these past six years.

Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family, (434) 237-9424. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tharpfuneralhome.com.