Rosalie T. Gibbon, 83, a Norwich native, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 24, 2023, at UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital.
Born on February 11, 1940, Rosalie was the daughter of Angelo T. and Frances M. (Scafidi) Taranto. After graduating from Norwich High School in 1958 Rosalie attended SUNY Oneonta, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in bookkeeping and education. Rosalie spent most of her working life at her parents’ restaurant, the Blue Bird, as the office manager and bookkeeper until its closure. She also worked a variety of other jobs including being a school teacher early in her life, a tax preparer throughout her life, and for CHIP Housing in Norwich. In retirement, she volunteered for many years at the Our Daily Bread Food Pantry.
Rosalie was an avid quilter making many quilts and more recently, handbags. She greatly enjoyed reading, Sudoku, and crossword puzzles. Rosalie, with her husband, Gary, traveled to thirty-three states, several national parks, took several cruises, and visited Holland, Sicily, and Jamaica. Rosalie met many friends on these trips which she kept in touch with until her passing.
Rosalie was a friend to all and went out of her way to help anyone. She was a perfect wife and was a loving mother, sister, and aunt.
Rosalie is survived by her loving husband of 44 years, Gary Gibbon, of Norwich; children, Steven (Angelica) Papelino, Kyle (Elizabeth) Papelino, and Maria Papelino; brother, Joseph (Debby) Taranto; brother-in-laws, Michael (Nancy) Gibbon, Randy (Gloria) Gibbon, and Jim Gibbon; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; close friends, Betty Yeahl, Rose Tortorici, Mary Laden, Linda Shader, Nancy Willey; and many other friends from her years including those she met at the Blue Bird and while quilting.
She was predeceased by her daughter, Lee Ann Papelino on February 20, 2023; and brothers, Paul Taranto and Thomas Taranto.
Funeral services for Rosalie will be held at 6:00 p.m., Thursday, November 30, 2023, at the Wilson Funeral Home, where the Lay Pastor, Glen “Whit” Whitaker, of the Columbus Community Church, will officiate. Friends are invited to call at the Wilson Funeral Home, in Norwich, from 4:00 p.m. until the time of the service. Burial will occur in the spring of 2024 in St. Paul’s Cemetery.
Contributions in memory of Rosalie may be made to the Norwich Emergency Squad, 31 East Main Street, Norwich, NY 13815 or to the Columbus Community Church, 3908 State Route 80, Sherburne, NY 13460.
To leave the family a message of condolence, please visit www.wilsonfh.com.