Helen T. Gibbs

Helen T. Gibbs, 104 years of age, died on Thursday morning at Green Ridge Care Center, Scranton.

Born in Scranton, she was the lone child of the late Martin J. Gibbs and Bertha Regan Gibbs. Shortly after graduating from Scranton Central High School, Helen heeded the country's call to arms and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, and was stationed in Arlington, Va., for the last two years of WWII. Captivated by Washington, D.C., culture, she there embarked on a successful career in government, employed in various secretarial and administrative positions. She worked for many years in the glorious U.S. Capitol Building for the U.S. Navy, and later, at several government organizations along Constitution Avenue. Helen, of a keen intellect and ever-curious mind, would continue her studies at George Washington University, focusing on politics, economics, and government operations. She would eventually move closer to home, transferring to the Veterans Hospital in Wilkes-Barre, and later to the State Office Building in Scranton, before "retiring."

Fiercely independent, she lived by herself for her first hundred years, never missing a meal. She did manage to get out of the house quite often throughout that century - Helen valued experience, culture, learning and friendships, and she found just that while traveling the world or a night on the hometown. Helen had class, and a style all her own. Always impeccably dressed and perfectly coiffed, she had an exquisite sense of beauty and fashion. A great day would usually include a long walk with a friend/neighbor/stranger, a glass of Riunite red, and a serenade from Ol' Blue Eyes himself, the very handsome Mr. Frank Sinatra. Well connected to her community, she had a large circle of friends from every walk of life, and she enjoyed all the dinners they shared together. A devout Christian woman, she donated religiously to any Catholic charity, and any that helped veterans, hospitals, the environment, Democrats, and feral cats and stray dogs, including Boys Town, Friends of The Poor, St. Jude's and Griffin Pond, and a hundred others, during and after a lifetime of exemplary, patriotic, public service.

Heartfelt thanks are extended to the medical staffs, caregivers and friends at the Gardens of Green Ridge, the Green Ridge Care Center, particularly Ann, Katie and Jackie, her hairdresser and confidant for over 50 years, Mary Ann Kearney, Carbondale, the late Rose Mary Blomberg and the entire Haggerty family, who included her for so many holiday and family gatherings.

Helen is survived by cousins, Lydia Forker, New York; Jaqueline McKenna, Florida; and William, Michelle, Lauren and Danielle LaMorte, all of Florida; close friends, Marilyn Krall, Pittston; and Susan Brownstine, California.

The funeral will be conducted on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, with Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Church, 800 Taylor Ave., Scranton. Burial, with full military honors, to follow at Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton.

Arrangements entrusted to the Frank M. Regan Funeral Home, 323 William St., Scranton.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Immaculate Conception Church, 800 Taylor Ave., Scranton, PA 18510.