Obituary of Ruth B. Gibson

Ruth Janet Bays Gibson, 88, peacefully gave her life on Sunday, November 17, 2013 to be reunited with her predeceased husband (Thomas J. Gibson, 2/3/13) on the exact date of their wedding, 68 years ago in 1945. As Ruth was thinking about Tom on Sunday evening she shed a few tears and then peacefully stopped breathing. Ruth was born in Cortland, NY, to Rupert and Katherine Bays of Virgil, NY, on November 27, 1924. She graduated from Virgil High School in 1941 and attended Business School in Syracuse, NY. While waiting for Thomas to return from the war she worked in the business office for Grants Bakery and then the office of the US Air Force. Thomas returned from WWII in 1945 they were soon wed and took up a lifelong residency in Cortland, NY. Ruth also spent time working at GLF in Dryden, the A&P Grocery Store and at Highgate Nursing Home, both in Cortland, as well as volunteering at the Cortland Memorial Hospital flower shop for over 25 years. During all of this she took on all types of projects from reupholstering, stenciling, refinishing furniture, quilting, and needlework. She and Tom spent many summers at their camp on DeRuyter Lake where she mastered the art of waterskiing, crossword puzzles, gardening, and cards. But most importantly she will be remembered as a devoted mother and wife. Ruth is predeceased by her brothers Robert Bays (Fran) of Virgil, Tony Bays (Evelyn) of Smyrna, John Bays (surviving-Delores), and her surviving sister Kathleen Thoman (Paul) of Florida. Ruth is survived by four children: Janet Ilene Michaels (Robert), of Baldwinsville, NY; Charlotte Jean Fregoe (Paul), of Cortland, NY; Frederick John Gibson, of Cortland, NY; and Connie Gibson Moyer (Jim), of East Stroudsburg, PA. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren: Lisa Huthmacher, Kim Roos, Shawna Sipfle, Kristy Mills, Robert Michaels, Kelly Decker, Brett Gibson, Robert Gibson, Mackenzie Meyers, Ryan Moyer, Colby Moyer, Chris Moyer, Robert Moyer, and 15 great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Grace Episcopal Church. Calling hours are 1:00 - 2:00 pm, Sunday, November 24 with a memorial service to follow at 2:00 at Grace Episcopal Church, 13 Court Street, Cortland.