Barbara D. Gibson

Barbara DeYoung Gibson 

Webster, NY - Barbara DeYoung Gibson, beloved wife, mother, aunt, and grandmother passed away on November 5, 2022. Barbara is predeceased by her parents, Albert “Doc” and Lillian DeYoung, brother Richard DeYoung, nephew Jonathan DeYoung, and recently by her daughter, Susan Joan Gibson, who passed away on September 11, 2022.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Bruce Gibson, son Douglas (Susan) Gibson, granddaughters Katelyn and Erin, numerous nieces and nephews, members of her church family, and sisters of the Alpha Omicron Pi Rochester area alumni.

Barbara was born in Rochester on June 17, 1939 and is a graduate of West Irondequoit High School. She and Bruce were married on Christmas Eve of 1960. She attended Cornell University and the University of Maryland, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Institution Management. She was employed by Visiting Nurse Service, National Home Nursing, and Monroe County Long Term Care, as a case manager, coordinator, and director of personnel. She later pursued additional studies at Cornell University leading to twelve years of employment in Chase Manhattan Bank’s Home Equities Center before retiring in 1999.

Barbara was a dedicated medic, driver, instructor, and dispatcher for Greece Volunteer Ambulance. She was a lifetime member of the Alpha Omicron Pi women’s fraternity, serving as president of the Rochester area alumni chapter. An active member of the Walworth United Methodist Church, Barbara chaired the Pastor Parish Relations committee, coordinated church directory work, served as a lay reader and speaker, and helped with church dinners, Vacation Bible School, and many other missions and events.

Barbara found joy in motor home travel and “camping” with Bruce and extended family, hot air balloon festivals, Buffalo Bills games, July 3rd Gibson family gatherings at Conesus Lake, DeYoung pig roasts in Holley, New York, and many kinds of music. She enthusiastically shared each of these passions with family and friends.

Another source of enjoyment for Barb was the art, characters, and stories of Disney and the literary creations of A.A. Milne. Piglet and Tigger are characters that she was particularly fond of, and in a way, they represent the humble unconditional compassion that Barb extended to others and her cheerful spontaneity, energy, and enthusiasm.

Barbara is remembered for her strong character, her natural leadership qualities, her passion for life, and her positivity when faced with challenges. She continued to engage in service to others and pursuit of life’s joys despite an eight year gradual decline in her ability to communicate as well as the loss of her ability to engage in many daily life activities. Barbara spent the final year of her life at the Fairport Baptist Homes, where she was well-known by staff and fellow residents for her signature “thumbs-up” gesture.

The family wishes to express sincere gratitude to the staff and management of Fairport Baptist Homes, who fully welcomed Barbara into their caring and supportive community in fall of 2021; Rochester Regional Hospice Care, who compassionately cared for Barbara during the last weeks of her life; and many caring members of Barbara’s Walworth UM Church family whose love and kindness provided support and encouragement throughout the course of Barbara’s progressive neurological condition.

A service to celebrate Barbara’s life will be held on Saturday, December 10, at 1:00 p.m. at the Walworth United Methodist Church at 3679 Main Street in Walworth, with a reception to follow.

Contributions in Barbara’s memory can be made to the Walworth United Methodist Church, 3679 Main Street, Walworth, NY 14568 or the Alpha Omicron Pi Foundation, 5390 Virginia Way, Brentwood, TN 37027.

You are invited to leave an online condolence by visiting Barbara’s tribute wall, www.murphyfuneralservices.com. 

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