Obituary of Verne LaRue Gibson

RIPLEY, NY - Verne LaRue (Boyd) Gibson went to be with her Lord and Savior on July 12, 2019 after a long struggle with her health.  She was born February 4, 1942 in Apollo, PA, daughter of the late Ethel Stitt Shellhammer and the late Andrew Boyd.

  She married LeVern “Gibby” Gibson on December 29, 1965, sadly, Gibby preceded her in death on June 23, 2018.

  Verne stayed at home to raise two strong, independent girls, who learned from her the values of determination and hard work. They marveled at her athleticism, even though she only played intra-murals sports in school, for that was all they had for girls when she was growing up.  In the front yard of the family home, she taught her daughters how to throw hard and work harder, run fast and think faster.  And as a softball player, play deep; running in is easier that running back. Left field, fly balls, and never letting one get by her unless it went over her head. Somewhere in that field is her engagement diamond that fell out during a game.

  She never missed a game her girls played in, home or away, basketball, softball, volleyball, or tennis. She was always vocal in her support, which might be putting it mildly if you saw her in action.  There was never a ref, umpire or opposing coach she wasn’t willing to yell at.  She was only standing up for her girls, not just her two, but every girl that played with them too. That's why the Ripley Girls biggest supporter, Mrs. Shioleno, loved her so much. She was able to yell the things Mrs. S. wanted to, but wasn’t able to!   

  After her girls left home, she worked part time for a number of years in the 1990's at the Harvest Restaurant in North East, PA and then at The Pines Motel and Cottages in Ripley, NY.

  She is survived by her daughters, Christine Adams and her husband Dallas of Portland, NY and Candice Steger of Ripley, NY, as well as by her grandchildren, her real reasons to smile, Emilee Steger, Branan Britt and Catherine "Catie" Britt.

  The family would like to thank the wonderful staff of Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care, most especially Emily, Jody and Rachel for all their care, love and support they provided to all of us during these last few months..

  Per Verne's wishes, no visitation or services will be observed.  She wanted us all to remember her for the way she lived, not the way she died.  Hospice was able to help her leave this life making her own decisions and doing it her way, right up to the end, and for this we are forever grateful.

  Memorial Contributions may be made to Hospice of Chautauqua County, 20 W. Fairmont Ave, Lakewood, NY 14750

    Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the MASON Funeral Home, 37 Clinton St., Westfield, NY.

  Log on to www.masonfuneral.com  to send the Gibson family a message of sympathy, to light a Memorial Candle or for further information.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Verne Gibson, please visit Tribute Store