Gibbons, Joan Martha

83, of Mesa AZ, passed away on the evening of December 14th, 2012. She was born on December 3rd, 1929 in Detroit, Michigan. She attended Wayne State University and graduated in 1951 with a BA in Liberal Arts. She loved and majored in American history and also studied German. She was an athlete and excelled in both Tennis and Basketball and was a captain on both teams while attending Eastern High School. She married Harry S. Gibbons In December, 1962, and started a family shortly thereafter in Royal Oak, MI. The two celebrated 25 years of marriage before Harry’s passing in 1988. Joan worked as a telecommunications operator and retired from William Beaumont Hospital in 1990. She has also worked for Bell Telephone and Press Products. Joan was a loving and devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, and aunt. She is survived by a sister Hope Uzzell of Panama City Beach, Florida and her Brother James Thomas of Springfield, Illinois, three sons Kirk, Glenn (Karla), James (Linda), 5 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, 4 nephews (Scott, Mike, Jason, and Gavin) 2 nieces (Joni and Donna) She was a friend and mentor to so many others. Joan was a natural leader and always carried herself with a demeanor that was confident and resolute. She loved the holidays and spending time with friends and family, especially when cooking, gardening, or sharing memories and reminiscing about the experiences in her life and of those around her. Her personality was always positive and optimistic, hilarious, and at times, hysterical. She was a truly unique and spirited woman, and her charisma was uplifting and inspiring to all that knew her. She spent the last year of her life at her son’s home in Mesa, Arizona. Her family is deeply grateful for the dedicated support and love of caregivers’ Pam, Lenka, and Tina. Their support and care truly improved her quality of life and she loved each of them as a close friend and trusted aide. Visitation will be on Friday, December 28, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and funeral services will be on Saturday, December 29, at 12:00. Both will be at Messenger Indian School Mortuary, 7601 E. Indian School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ. Burial and committal service will immediately follow at Green Acres Cemetery in Scottsdale. Following the burial, a reception will be held at Messinger Indian School Mortuary.