Obituary of Madeline Gibbs
The family of Madeline Gibbs announces her passing on the morning of Thursday, November 9, 2023. Madeline passed away in Winnipeg after several years of poor health. However, Brandon was where she was born, raised, educated, married and raised her own family. Brandon was home.
Madeline was born on February 11, 1935 in Brandon and was the only child of Vernon and Anne Irving. She went to St. Michael’s Academy where she enjoyed her early education and piano lessons. She went to Brandon University (then Brandon College) and was active for many years in the Beta Sigma Phi sorority. On February 12, 1955 Madeline Irving married Howard (Howie) Gibbs and welcomed a son, Jeffery Vernon Gibbs (wife Maryann Gibbs) and a daughter, Pamela Ann Gibbs (husband Michael Hamson). They enjoyed a long and happy marriage until Howie’s early passing on December 24, 1988. Howie and Madeline travelled all over North America and particularly enjoyed their winter holidays in Arizona. Madeline missed Howie every day until her own passing.
After Howie’s passing, Madeline enjoyed time at the family cottage at Longbow Lake, Ontario. She was blessed with four grandchildren; Vernon Michael Gibbs, Amanda Rose Gibbs (husband Tyler Gilchrist), Samantha Anne Leech and Sydney Marie Leech (husband Connor Cameron). The grandchildren have many happy memories of family times at the cottage and in later years at the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair. She was also blessed with two great grandchildren, Michael Jeffery Gibbs and Emma Madeline Gibbs. She was very proud of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and they will all miss her.
A private service will be held at Brockie Donovan Chapel on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Madeline will be buried next to Howie in Brandon Cemetery following the service. The family wishes to express their immense gratitude to the remarkable care she received while in Winnipeg, the staff at Cancer Care, the Waverly and the Poseidon were remarkable, and we are very thankful for their kindness. Flowers are gratefully declined and anyone wishing to celebrate her life may make a donation to the Brandon Humane Society, 2200 17 St E., Brandon, MB, R7A 7M6 in recognition of Madeline’s life long love of animals.
