Longtime San Andreas resident Jeanne Marelli (Stewart) Gibbens passed away on February 13, 2018 at the age of 92.She was preceded in death
by her son Greg Gibbens in 1954, her husband Ellis "Al" Gibbens in 1988 and brother LaVerne Stewart in 2011.
She is survived by her daughter an son-in-law, Gayle and Fred Gerard of San Andreas, daughter and son-in-law Lynne and Rob North of Zephyr Cove, Nevada and by her five grandchildren Jeanne' (Rick) Campbell of Half Moon Bay, Jaime (Tobin) Nelson of San Mateo, Joshua Gerard of San Andreas, Sierra (Celia Carter) North of Oakland and Skyler (Cari) North of Leander, Texas.
In addition to being grandmother to five, she is survived by her 14 great-grandchildren.
Jeanne was born in Stockton and grew up in San Andreas where her family ha resided since the late 1800's. Her grandfather, George A. Stewart, operated the general store in San Andreas and in 1913 opened one of the first Ford dealerships in California.
She graduated from Calaveras High School in 1943 where she was active with student government, journalism (producing the first student generate "SKULL" and Tomahawk") and the tennis team, where she also was the tennis manager.
Jeanne met Al at the College of the Pacific post WWII, where she studied clerical classes. Friends set them up on a blind date an when they met that evening they recognized each other from a class they shared!
Must have been a success... they were married Feb. 8, 1947 and continued to live in Stockton. Their first daughter, Gayle, was born there. Jeanne, Al, an Gayle moved to San Andreas where another daughter Lynne, and son, Greg, were born. Jeanne was a busy mother of three and spent much time caring for Greg due to his congenital heart disease.
During her life Jeanne's work included secretary to the principal of Calaveras High School and also for the California Department of Forestry, clerk at the Calaveras Auditor's Office, a variety of jobs at the family business of Stewart's Ford Mercury, an "Avon Lady" in Santa Rosa and owner with Al of a Coast to Coast Hardware Store in Patterson.
She volunteered for the Calaveras County Jumping Frog Jubilee, Mark Twain Days which benefitted Mark Twain Hospital, and for a variety of local, state and national political candidates.
Midlife and beyond, Jeanne loved taking her RV on trips with Al. After Al passed away, she continued RV travel with the Rovin' Mt. Ranchers and the Sacramento Singles. At age 70, she drove her RV to Anchorage, Alaska and back.
Jeanne lived the last four years of life in the capable hands of the Foothill Village staff in Angels Camp. Jeanne's family thanks them for their love and care... and sharing many laughs with Jeanne!
The family will be having a private graveside Celebration of Life. Jeanne will be missed as our matriarch, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Donations in honor of Jeanne's life may be made to a charity of your choice.
San Andreas Memorial Chapel is handling arrangements.
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