Patricia B. Gibbs

Patricia B. Gibbs, 87, passed away suddenly on Thursday, April 2, 2015, in Noblesville.
Patricia Eileen Bowman was born in Alexandria, Indiana, on August 5, 1927, the first child of John G. and Mildred Elliott Bowman. Pat grew up in Elwood, Indiana, and was valedictorian of the 1945 class at Wendell L. Willkie High School. She earned an associate's degree from Christian College (now Columbia College), Columbia, Missouri, in 1947; and a bachelor's degree in business administration from Northwestern University in 1949, where she was the only woman in most of her business classes. Pat was a member of Delta Zeta Sorority and met her husband, Richard W. (Dick) Gibbs, at a sorority open house. They were married at the First Christian Church in Elwood on March 12, 1950. Their first home was Evanston, Illinois, where Pat worked in cost accounting for Northwestern University Department of Buildings and Grounds. When Dick accepted a job transfer to Indianapolis in 1952, the couple chose Noblesville as their new home, becoming some of the first suburbanites to settle in the town. Pat then devoted her life to keeping their home and being a loving, fulltime mother. She and Dick were members of the "Greatest Generation" whose lives taught them hard work, patience and frugality - traits they instilled in their children. The couple were members of the First Presbyterian Church of Noblesville for many years, where Pat sang in the choir and taught Sunday school. She was a devoted volunteer who furthered history and education in the community. Pat was one of the founding members of the Noblesville branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) established in 1956, serving as president and treasurer, and was a member of its literature study group. She was a member of the Hamilton County Historical Society, Hamilton County Sesquicentennial Committee, and a 30 year member of the Hamilton County Cemetery Commission, serving as its secretary/treasurer, retiring in 2013. She indexed vital records for the Noblesville Public Library, answered genealogy queries for the Noblesville Daily Ledger, and helped many with their family histories. Pat researched numerous lines in her own family history, leaving a priceless legacy to her family. A lifelong cat lover, Pat's life was not complete unless she had a cat to cuddle. Pat loved anything related to history. Family was utmost in her life. Pat devoted her earlier years to raising her daughters, and in later life she cared for her mother and aunt. In addition to her loving, caring, giving spirit, her family will always remember her amazing organizational and cleaning skills.
Pat's survivors include two daughters, Pamela (Warren) Ferber of Hebron, IN and Kay (Jerry) Taylor of Springfield, IL; a sister, Sue Svehla of Winter Park, FL; one grandchild, Richard W. Ferber of Burlington, VT; her beloved companion, Herald Demaree; and very special friends, J. R. and Shirley Cooksey of Noblesville. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
Pat was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, who passed away in 1996; and her cherished cat, Dolly.
Visitation will be held on Monday, April 6, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Randall & Roberts Funeral Home, 1150 Logan St., Noblesville. Graveside rites will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, at Sunset Memorial Park, Elwood.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hamilton County Historical Society, P. O. Box 97, Noblesville IN 46061; or The Alzheimer's Association, Greater Indiana Chapter, 50 E 91st St, Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46240.