NORWICH – Eleanor J. Gibson, 88, of Norwich, passed away early Monday morning, April 13, 2009, at her home.
Born in July of 1920 in Laurens, Eleanor was the daughter of Preston and Minnie Stone Westcott. Her early years were spent in Laurens before her family moved to Norwich, where Eleanor attended Norwich High School and graduated with the class of 1938. Also in 1938, Eleanor began working at her first job, as secretary to local attorney Frank Barnes. When he became Judge of the Surrogate Court, Eleanor went with him as Clerk and began her long career as a mainstay of the Chenango County court system. Beginning in 1951, Eleanor’s job title was Chief Clerk of the Chenango County Surrogate Court, but she was more than that. A strong-willed lady with a quick wit who knew and did her job completely, she ran her office firmly but fairly until her retirement in 1983. At that time, she and Varley were free to pursue their love for camping.
Eleanor was a charter member and former secretary of the Bullthistle Camping Club, but she and Varley didn’t limit their camping activities to this area. Instead, they toured through several states, enjoying each and every area they visited. Eleanor was also a long-time and involved member of the Broad Street United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women. One of the church’s activities she most enjoyed was working with the Tuesday night Soup and Sandwich.
Eleanor and her husband of close to 60 years, Varley B. Gibson, were married in Norwich on June 15, 1940. Varley predeceased her on March 28, 2001. Eleanor is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and James Heath of Homer; by granddaughters Kelly Heath of Homer and Rebecca Heath of Cortland; and great-granddaughter, Grae Dimare. She is also survived by her nieces: Candy Bass and husband Fred of Jacksonville, Ark., Nancy Snell of Norwich; her nephew, Rickey Kazimir and wife Debbie of Atlanta, Ga.; great nieces Stacy Smith of Norwich, Penny Snell of Buffalo, Darcy Snell of Rochester, and Jennifer and Erika Bass of Jacksonville, Ark. She was predeceased by her son, Ronald Gibson, in 1991, and by her sister, Eileen Kazimir.
Funeral services for Eleanor will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home, Norwich. The Rev. Jeff Hale, Pastor of the Broad St. United Methodist Church, will officiate. Interment will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Friday from 11 a.m. until the service at 1 p.m.
Because of Eleanor’s love and caring for all animals, please consider memorial contributions in Eleanor’s name to the Chenango County SPCA, 6160 County Road 32, Norwich, NY 13815.