Ruth Harriett Kennedy Gibson

July 17, 1922 – January 29, 2018

Ruth “Harriett” Gibson passed away peacefully on January 29, 2018 after a long and interesting life. Born in Chicago, IL, to August and Olga Swanson, Harriett graduated from Calumet High School at age 16. She attended Morningside College in Ames, Iowa where she met and married her first husband, Gene Kennedy. After only 8 months, she was widowed at age 21 when Gene was killed in WWII.

Seeking a new life, Harriett went “out West” to Colorado. In 1945, on a blind date in Denver, she met her second husband, Lyle “Gib” Gibson. Together they lived in several states, finally settling down to raise their children, Todd and Marianne, in South San Francisco in 1962.

Harriett and Gib were long time members of Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church and with the kids in school, Harriett returned to work as the church secretary. That was the last time she looked for a job. With excellent office skills and attention to detail, Harriett went on to hold executive secretary positions for several organizations including the Peninsula Bank of Commerce in Millbrae, CA where she rose to become Assistant Vice President for Marketing. In that capacity, Harriett joined Soroptimist International, becoming President of the MillbraeSan Bruno Chapter.

A natural fundraiser, Harriett spent countless hours raising money for the causes she was passionate about: her church, scholarships for women returning to school, and helping her grandchildren sell Scout popcorn and cookies.

Harriett was a life-long SF Giants fan, loved to read and sing in the choir, played the piano and a mean hand of bridge. She felt her job was to expose her children to music, literature and the arts. She leaves a legacy of hard work, self-motivation, and compassion for those in need.

Preceded in death by Gib after 38 years of marriage, her parents, sister Dorothy and her son Todd, Harriett is survived by her loving daughter, Marianne, daughter-in-law, Janet, four grandchildren, Cristopher (Sarah), Janeene, Spencer, and Maya; and three great grandchildren, Andrew, Grace and Owen.

Friends are invited to attend Harriett’s memorial service at 2:00 pm, Saturday, April 7, 2018 at Unity Lutheran Church, 609 Southwood Drive, South San Francisco, CA. Donations in her honor may be made to The San Mateo County Humane Society, Unity Lutheran Church or Soroptimist International.