Barbara F. Gibson
Join us in celebrating Barbara—please share your stories and photos, and help spread the word about this page!
It is with great sorrow that we share with you the entry into the arms of Jesus, on January 5, 2023, Barbara Frances (Stacks) Gibson, precious sister, aunt and friend. Her passing followed a courageous battle as a double amputee of PAD (peripheral artery disease). She was fiercely independent and was of the conviction that life's challenges were meant to be conquered. This was her mantra for living in every aspect of her being, from being a three-sport athlete to singing in a small band in high school, to her professional career and leisure activities of gardening, culinary artistry, and her talent in the area of construction and restructuring of her homes. Her carpentry tools collection was envied by the best of men. She succeeded with masterful determination in caring for herself with help from time to time from devoted family and neighbors. She accepted life as it was and made the most of it. Her friendships, including her brothers and sisters, ran deep with affection and love as witnessed by a 65 plus year friendship with a best friend and close communication all her life with family. If a confidant was sought, Barbara was the go-to person. She could not be coerced in any way to reveal a secret or confidentiality, a beautiful tribute to those she loved. She gifted loved ones with a grand sense of humor that meant she loved life and all people.
Barbara was born on August 1, 1945 in Washington D.C. She was the fourth of twelve children born to Joseph E. Stacks, Jr. and Janet J. Heatwole Stacks. She was a life-long member of the Episcopal Church, first in The Falls Church where she was baptized and later a member in Alexandria, Virginia where she sang in the choir. Her faith provided the model for her life of kindness, acceptance of others and allowing others the privilege of being themselves. She saw the good in everyone. Thanks be to God.
Barbara was married to her beloved partner of 35 years, Paul James Gibson, deceased. They met at work, RCA, where he was initially her boss. Their devotion to one another was undeniable in their endearing togetherness. He sadly predeceased her in 2004 yet her many stories of their good times together and of their social outings and business-related connections in the Washington D.C. Metro Area lived on.
Barbara's professional career spanned from high school when she worked for the Department of the Navy and culminated in working for herself the latter part of her life. Retirement was not a part of her vocabulary. Her experiences included bookkeeping, executive administrative assistant, exhibit's coordinator, owner/operator of Pas De Chat, a retail dance apparel store. She was a jack-of-all-trades within her business world and was particularly fond of the numerous positions held at J.C. Penney Co, Inc. This included manager of Operations, Human Resources, and Sales Support. She was also Catalogue-Credit Specialist and even did some modelling of women's apparel for Penny's. She continually chose to grow in her career through continuing education classes, seminars, and workshops from various schools of higher learning and classes from both the Department of the Navy and Department of Agriculture. This is indicative of her admirable work ethic and drive to excel.
She is survived by her 4 brothers, Mark Wayne (Priska) of Oregon, Sanford Steven (Marnie -Deceased) of Virginia, Jerome (Jerry)Marshall (Veronica-Deceased) of Virginia, David Lawrence (Cecilia)of South Carolina, 3 sisters, Jacqueline Elizabeth Block (Bill-Deceased) of Florida, Marjorie Anne Fairbanks (John-Deceased) of North Carolina, Rebecca Sue of North Carolina, spouses of deceased siblings, Nancy, Betty, Kathy. She was an aunt, great aunt and great great aunt to 74 beloved nieces and nephews. Also lovingly devoted to her, Judy Musolf and Michelle Leonard Burgess, her dear friends. Greeting her on arrival in heaven are those who predeceased her, her husband, mother, father, and siblings, Sandra Lee, Joseph Edward ll, William Scott, John Thomas.
Rest in peace, beautiful Barbara, thanks for touching our hearts with your loving spirit and leaving us with treasured memories.
The family will receive visitors for a memorial service at Mountcastle Turch Funeral Home at 4143 Dale Boulevard in Dale City, VA, (703) 680-1234, on Thursday, February 2, 2023, from 11:30am-12pm; memorial service begins at 12pm, with service to follow at Quantico National Cemetery at 1:30pm. All are welcome to attend.