Mary Gibbons

With heavy hearts, we share the passing on June 11, 2025, of our beloved Mom, Gramma, Great-Gramma, Sister and friend. Mary Gibbons, 89 passed peacefully at her beautiful lake house with her daughter, Lori and sister, Jane, by her side. Mary was very much loved by her family and friends and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, son Michael Scott Freese, stepson Patrick Gibbons, former husband Jack Freese, late husband Jerry Gibbons and stepson Michael Gibbons.

She is survived by her daughter Lori Osterday and husband Royal, Sisters Jane Carlile, Kathy Whitten and husband Ed Hutsell. Grandchildren Trevor Manners, fiancé Kristin & son Ryley; Kevin Freese, wife Trina and their children Ethan and Ariella; Shane Freese, wife Dannah and their children Hayes and Blair. Tressa Kirilloff, husband Boris and daughter Karleigh, Mimosa Constans, husband Jake and their daughters Jocelinh, Jayleene, Janessa and Jasminh. Step daughter-in-law Diedre Gibbons. Her beloved constant companion of 11 years, Wiggles; her Havanese furry footed friend, as well as several close friends, Muriel, Dee and Molly, just to mention a few. Mary’s strength, sharp wit, presence and generosity will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Mary's family had settled in northeast Texas generations ago and she was born there in Paris, Tx on January 26th, 1936, to Halbert & Bess (Arnold) Whitten. Her early years were spent there surrounded by an extended family but when she was about 6 years old her father relocated the family to Sherman, Texas, west of Paris. Mary was the eldest of 3 girls and was very active in school sports and drama. While still a teenager she developed a sophisticated style that served her well throughout her life in making contacts and securing interesting jobs. While attending Austin College, she met Jack Freese an Air Force pilot, quickly fell in love, got married and moved to Itazuke Air Force Base in Fukuoka, Japan where Jack was stationed. This is where they welcomed their first child Michael Scott Freese on December 30th, 1958. They moved from Japan to Poughkeepsie, New York after a couple of years and in 1961 welcomed their daughter Loralyn (Lori) Freese. Mary and Jack moved around working several civilian jobs in various states after moving from New York, eventually settling in southern California. They later divorced and Mary went to night school and studied the world of Information Technology where she excelled and had a very rewarding career. Mary worked for Burroughs, First Interstate Bank, Wells Fargo and Standard Insurance retiring as Assistant Vice President at Standard insurance in 2000. She often talked fondly of her career and the immense joy she got from exploring the world of technology in a time when there were not many women in that field of work and competition was fierce. Mary remarried in 1973 to Jerry Gibbons after they moved to Portland Oregon from California where she helped raise his sons Michael & Patrick Gibbons.

Mary loved to travel and in her later years, when both were widows, Mary and sister Jane traveled together many times, including road trips to Nova Scotia and other parts of Canada and within the US. They also visited Spain, Peru, New Zealand and Great Britain from which ancestors came to America generations ago. Mary especially enjoyed her trip to Italy and the wonderful food and wine. An avid reader, you could always find Mary with a Kindle in her hands or somewhere nearby. Mary was also a lover of furry-footed friends. Throughout her life she was a welcome home to many dogs and cats, and you could always guarantee that there was a friendly pet or two, or three, to be loved on whenever you visited her.

In 2023, Mary sold her home in Vancouver, Washington and moved to Montana to live with her daughter and spend time with her grandkids and great grandkids. She was able to enjoy family get togethers, holidays and family time in the brief time she lived in Montana. Mary had a curious and adventurous streak and was always game to try new things. While living in the Pacific Northwest, she enjoyed piloting her boat across the Columbia River bar to fish in the ocean, and she crewed on a sailboat with sister Kathy to explore Puget Sound. An avid genealogy researcher, Mary traced the roots of her family tree all the way back to the 15th century. This was a hobby she thoroughly enjoyed and is delighted to know that her grandson Kevin will be taking the wheel for her and continuing the research and journey she started. Mary was a wonderful hostess who loved to laugh and talk, enjoyed fine food and wines, and was an excellent cook. Her time on earth was full of the usual joys and sorrows, and she embraced life to the end with courage and purpose. Hers was a life well lived and well loved.

A family celebration of life will be held at a later date.