Judith (Judy) Ann Gibson (nee Maclellan)
May 25, 1939 to October 21, 2024
Obituary
Judith Ann Gibson passed away peacefully at the Miller Center in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador on October 21.
Born May 25, 1939, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Judy was a bright and curious girl from the start. She grew up in St. Andrews, New Brunswick in the family home she never forgot, Cherry Hill. Her beloved mother Delphine, a marine biologist, encouraged Judy’s passions for reading, writing, poetry, and painting. Judy attended the Edgehill School for Girls, graduated from high school in St. Andrews, and went on to study English literature at Dalhousie University and the University of Waterloo.
Judy met her husband John when he was working at the St. Andrews Biological Station as a fisheries biologist; they immediately hit it off because they shared a love for laughter. Judy was known for her ability to find the fun in any situation, and her collection of impersonations and limericks. If you found yourself at a dinner party with her, you were likely to hear her bang-on impression of Queen Elizabeth’s twenty-first birthday speech. Judy loved to host; the Gibson family Christmas dinners were always epic, with both a goose and a turkey, and a table full of friends and family. She was a consummate helper of people in need, from defecting East Germans to teenagers looking for a safe spot to land when things were tough. She had an excellent memory for languages and trivia, and would often surprise a stranger with a few words in their native tongue.
Judy worked as an editor at Jesperson Press, where she published her book The Secret of Devil’s Cleft. She later taught English at Memorial University. She was happiest with her nose buried in an old book, or researching a long-forgotten female author. She was also a passionate activist, and wrote copious letters to various editors to call attention to environmental and civil rights issues. She took pride in her work, as well as in the achievements of her husband and daughters.
Judy was preceded in death by her husband John in 2016, and her first daughter Caroline in 2021, which she said was the greatest grief of her life. But she had many joys and accomplishments, and dear friends who will always remember her great sense of humor and the strength of her personality. She leaves behind a legacy of joy, intelligence, and a deep curiosity about the world.
Judy is survived by her daughter Mary Jane Gibson, her son Richard Dunn, and her sister Janet Toole.
A service will be held at 1pm on October 26th, 2024 at the Carnell Memorial Chapel
In lieu of flowers please donate to a local food bank of your choice.
For those family and friends unable to attend the service for Judy Gibson, you may view it via this link:
Schedule
funeral
1:00pm, Saturday October 26th
The Carnell Memorial Chapel
329 Freshwater Road
View on Map
Dear Mary Jane and Richard
We were both saddened to hear of Judy’s death when we returned from Toronto. We will always remember her kindness and generosity both of which were on full display when our son was sick.. The birthday parties she held for John and his fishing friends were particularly memorable. There always good food and an update on the good causes Judy championed. The community is diminished by the loss of her activism. We were sorry to miss the funeral.
To the family of Judy:
We send our deepest, most heartfelt condolences. May these words of sympathy and understanding bring your family comfort in the loss of your loved one – UW Faculty of Arts
Dear Mary Jane,
I will always remember your mother, Judy, with great fondness. We were friends for more than twenty five years. Like others who have written here, I admired her generosity, her caring for others, her love of fun, her deep commitment to the environment. I often heard her speak of her love of English literature, her success in teaching poetry to university students and her hopes to have her research into the authorship of an early 19th century book published. We spent time together learning the Irish language. The portraits she painted of the people in her life were marvellous – she was an artist in this sense as well. I feel she led a full life – one that was not without difficulties – but one to be much admired.
Dear Mary Jane, Richard and Janet,
My heart goes out to you for your loss.
Your parents were great friends of my parents and through them, my own family as well. Judy was as others have noted, both interesting and interested. Eclectically and electrically. Engaged. Animated. Thoughtfull and outspoken.
When I last saw Judy she gave me a painting on a beach stone of my daughter as a child . In this little painting Judy captured my daughter’s essence at that age. It is beautiful..
Thank you Judy.
My cousin Chris & I owned Belbin’s (Grocery) from 1986 to 2018 which gave me lots of opportunities to get to know Judy. Judy started shopping at Belbin’s when it was previously owned by our fathers. She was a passionate supporter of our store and served as our unofficial ambassador every chance she got, always recommending us to others and often dragging in newcomers as they arrived in St John’s.
I appreciated and respected her passion for so many community matters and concerns. Judy had a great command of the English language and was never shy in expressing her opinion but was always willing to listen to others and offer her support wherever she could.
I hope Judy’s family and friends will find comfort in the way she walked through life, may she rest in peace.
Robert & Elizabeth Belbin
Jane and family,
With warm memories of your Mom and you. May your good memories of this phenomenal woman, your Mom, continue to inspire you.
Dear Mary Jane,
We loved hearing your tribute to your Mum. Your singing was strong and so lovely. Judy and your whole family have been important to our lives ever since I worked with Richard when they were both at WHOI. Our last time together was when you and Caroline sent her to Falmouth on her birthday. Her plan was to visit the Library and present a first draft of her book.. She visited us and always wanted to know about Jonathan and Benjamin. While visiting she made a sketch of our little grandson who was just learning to walk. That sketch, a portrait of Jonathan that she did when we visited you all in St. John’s, and a painting of a rocky lakeshore and all favorites of mine..
So sorry to learn of Judy’s passing. Jane, you may remember me as a one of the students renting an apartment in your house on Circular Road back in the 80’s. You were about 5 or six years old. Your mother was so good to us. I loved getting to know your family. Remember we were both in the production 1884 at the arts and Culture Centre?
I used to run into your Mom from time to time over the years and she was a joy to talk to.
I am so sorry for this loss and the others you have had. May she rest in peace.
Judy has been a special friend ever since we met her when she and John were here in Falmouth. We loved them both.
Mary Jane, my condolences on your loss. The last time I saw Judy was here in Port Townsend, when your dad and mom came over for afternoon tea. It was a wonderful, engaging visit. May she rest in peace now with John.
Dear Jane and your siblings. Please accept my sincerest condolences on the occasion of Judy’s death. I knew I had not bumped into her in recent times. We usually had long conversations when we saw each other at Belbin’s. There was always an issue about the environment or of social justice import that she was concerned about.. Conversations with Judy were never dull. Keep her spirit alive. Lorraine Michael
Judy worked with my father. Ron Clarke on his locally published book. Judy was a great editor and my father spoke of her often. May she rest in eternal peace.
I remember her not only as my neighbour but as an actively engaged, progressive citizen of St. John’s and Newfoundland in general. Along with John, she was a great environmental crusader. My condolences to the family and my thanks to Judy for all she fought for on behalf of others.
Judy always had a kind word and encouraged me when I was going through challenging situations. I
Mary Jane and Family
Sincere condolences. Judy was a Circular Road neighbour and friend. We shared countless cups of coffee at our kitchen table, sometimes with the addition of Delphine when she came to visit. Judy could always be counted on for stories and commentaries about family and neighbourhood goings-on, delivered in the most elegant English and with a fine sense of the ridiculous. We haven’t seen each other for some time, but I find it sad to know that she is no longer a force in our community.
Judy was a good friend to my mother, Helen Fogwill Porter and I enjoyed many a lively chat with her when escorting Mom to Writers’ Guild events. I know her presence will be missed.
I was a neighbor on Circular Road for a number of years . May her memory be a blessing
Love to you Mary Jane. The Gibson Christmas dinner party was epic. It was sometimes a challenge to laugh so much after a belly full of turkey and goose, especially after a limerick or two from Judy. Rest in peace my dear Judy.
Lots of love to you Mary Jane in this time of grief
I’m so sorry to learn this sad news, Jane, Richard and Janet. I hope that memories of happier times serve to buoy your spirits in the coming days, weeks and months. May Judy rest in peace.
So sorry to hear about Judy’s passing. She was such a wonderful neighbour when we lived next door to her on Circular Road. RIP Judy
Mary Jane
and family,
Sending much peace to you at the sad time. Judy and I went back to the old Duckworth lunch days where we concocted plans for social justice and environmental action, over cream cheese bagels. She was always engaged, interested and wildly colourful. I was glad to call her a friend. I also remember her many letters to city hall and will think fondly of her tenacity and care for people and the environment.
Rest peacefully Judy. Xo
Sheilagh