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Mary Lou Gibson
In Memory of
Mary Lou
Gibson
1934 - 2018
Memorial Candle Tribute From
M.B. Kilmer Funeral Home
"We are honored to provide this Book of Memories to the family."
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Obituary for Mary Lou Gibson

Hartford

Mary Lou Gibson, 83, passed away on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at Glens Falls Hospital surrounded by her family.

Born April 17, 1934 in Schenectady, NY she was the daughter of the late Robert and Elinor Aughenbaugh.

Mary Lou graduated from Nott Terrace Schenectady High School in Schenectady, NY in 1952, and later attended Cornell University, receiving her bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Science in 1956. In 1961, Mary Lou received her master’s degree in Education from Indiana University.

On December 28, 1958, Mary Lou married Philip H. Gibson in Shelbyville, Indiana. Mary Lou and Phil then moved to Ithaca, NY for two years while Phil was attending Cornell University. After Phil’s graduation in January of 1961 they moved back to Hartford NY to operate the Greenridge Family Farm in partnership with Philip’s father. Harden Gibson. Mary Lou was the book keeper, farm laborer, and family homemaker.

Mary Lou was a 4-H leader in Hartford NY for 46 years. She was a lifelong member of the Hartford Yoked Parish formerly known as South Hartford Congregational Church, where she served as a Sunday School Teacher for many years and also served as the Harford United Sunday School Superintendent, overseeing all Sunday School activities, the lighting of the acolyte candles, as well as annually organizing the In-Gathering for Thanksgiving meals. She also organized the Extra Helpings Program for the Hartford, Argyle, and Granville community area through the Regional Food Bank for over 15 years. To spread her love for reading, Mary Lou helped to start the Book Mobile in Hartford NY and kept it running for many years. For all her years of service to the community, Mary Lou was awarded the Dewitt-Clinton Award by the Hartford Masons in April 2013.

Mary Lou was a wealth of knowledge on just about every subject, including all the different species of wildlife, plants, and flowers that she loved. She will be remembered for her love of crossword puzzles, sewing, knitting, fixing things, and especially for her love of books and learning. She also was an avid poem writer, writing about the events that happened in her family’s life with a creative, fun twist. She enjoyed helping to teach her grandchildren how to read, and will be remembered for their times together reading, discussing, and loving the magical world of Harry Potter.

In addition to her parents, Mary Lou is predeceased by her sister, Sue Aughenbaugh.

Left to cherish her memory include the love of her life, her husband of 59 years, Philip; her children, Peter Gibson (Karen) of Greenfield Center, NY; Mary Hren (Henry) of Johnsonville, NY; Robert Gibson (Kris) of Hartford; her grandchildren, Matthew Gibson, Grace, Henry, Camilla and Rosella Hren, Danielle (Kyle), Sarah (Joe) and Robert Logan Gibson; her great-grandchildren, Liliana, Schuyler, Elizabeth, Jason and Avery; and many other extended family from the community, who Mary Lou and Phil impacted tremendously.

At Mary Lou’s request there will be no calling hours.

A Celebration of Mary Lou’s Life will be held on Saturday February 10, 2018 from 1pm to 4pm at the Hartford Volunteer Fire Company, Inc, 8118 NY-40, Hartford, NY 12838. The family has requested, if able, to bring any photos and prepared written stories of a favorite memory or story you have of Mary Lou that you can share at the Celebration and/or provide as a keepsake for Phil of Mary Lou’s life.

Burial will be conducted in the spring at Morningside Cemetery in Hartford.

Memorial donations in Mary Lou’s memory can be made to the Hartford Volunteer Fire Company, Inc., P.O. Box 121, Hartford, NY 12838 or to 4-H Scholarships c/o Cornell Cooperative Extension Washington County, 415 Lower Main Street, Hudson Falls, NY 12839 or to Argyle Emergency Squad, Inc., 15 Sheridan Street, Argyle, NY 12809.

Arrangements are in the care of M.B. Kilmer Funeral Home, 123 Main Street, Argyle, NY 12809. To view Mary Lou’s Book of Memories and post online condolences, please visit www.kilmerfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Lou Gibson, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

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