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Obituary for Suzanne Gibbons
Suzanne (Famous) Gibbons of Colorado Springs, passed away peacefully at the age of 72 at Penrose Saint Frances Hospice Unit on April 13, 2019 at 7:04 pm after suffering a second stroke. She is survived by her devoted husband Wayne; daughter Mary Beth; daughter Erin and her husband Scott; two grandchildren Sherri Lee and Emily Anne; brother George and his wife Kristina; brother John Pat and his wife Mary Claire; and sister Mary Linda.
She is preceded by her mother Marianne Famous; father George Famous; and her brother Michael.
Suzanne was born March 29, 1947 in Cincinnati, Ohio, the middle child of Marianne and George Famous. Suzanne also spent some time with her beloved Aunt Minerva from time to time who was instrumental in instructing her in the teaching of the Catholic Church. Suzanne said each visit with Aunt Minerva brought her closer and closer to Jesus and His Blessed Mother. It was there where Suzanne developed her Catholic Faith, her love for Jesus, and her love for the Blessed Mother, which persisted throughout her childhood and into her adult life. Her beloved Aunt Minerva would dearly call her “Child of Grace.”
Suzanne attended Hughes High School where she excelled at academics and was involved in many school activities such as Senior National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Huzettes, Senior Y Teens, Pep Club, Spanish Club, and Merry-Go-Round (she participated in “Annie Get Your Gun”). After graduation, Suzanne attended University of Evansville on a full ride scholarship and studied Spanish and got her teaching certificate. While attending Evansville, she met Wayne, fell in love, and they married July 19, 1969. (Wayne always says they got to the moon a day before the astronauts!)
Suzanne and Wayne had two children: Mary Beth and Erin. Wayne’s career in the Air Force took the family to many different bases which allowed for some really wonderful experiences. While stationed in Washington DC (during the Bicentennial), Suzanne was very involved in the Catholic Church. She created banners to decorate the church and was involved in liturgical services. One of Suzanne’s favorite experiences was singing for her beloved Saint John Paul II (one of the highlights of her life).
In Germany, Suzanne immersed herself in the culture. She chose to have her family live off base in a small village called Bettingen. She made sure her family experienced all that Germany had to offer- from Volksmarches throughout the German countryside and vineyards, to participating in fasching parades, to visiting the many art museums, cathedrals and castles Germany had to offer. Suzanne was engaged in the community and befriended many people. She hosted the village priests for dinner and attended the German Catholic Church in Bettingen as well as the Catholic Church on base at Bitburg. There, she was a liturgical minister and a member of the church choir. Suzanne was also a member of the French German American Club.
After spending 5 years in Germany, Suzanne and her family moved to England as Wayne was stationed at Greenham Common. Again, Suzanne’s thirst for culture and art paved the way for amazing experiences. Suzanne again opted for her family to live off base where they could better experience the English way of life. Double decker bus trips to Oxford, punting on the Thames, enjoying tea and scones with clotted cream and strawberries in the Welsh countryside, and High Tea at the Ritz were just a few of the wonderful experiences to be had... of course, Suzanne visited numerous cathedrals and art museums and castles in the United Kingdom as well. She loved the theater and London. She also was active in KAOS (Kidlington Amateur Operatic Society) where Suzanne was in Trial By Jury, Carmina Burana, Israel in Egypt, and Hugh the Drover to name a few.
Once their tour overseas was complete, Suzanne and Wayne retired to Colorado Springs. She moved to Monument in 2000. Suzanne was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church in Monument. Her main ministry was Praying Prodigals Home. And she also supported the Respect Life ministry. Throughout her life, Suzanne had a soft spot in her heart for priests and nuns- “ adopting” many along the way and helping them in all ways conceivable.
This is just a short review of Suzanne’s life. Her love and passion for language, art, and culture opened up the world for her family and gave us experiences we could never have dreamed of. This wonderful woman touched the lives of so many. She had so many experiences that a 4,000 page novel couldn’t begin to recount. She was a welcoming beacon and a safe harbor to all. Everyone she met was a friend. That gleaming light in the darkness has been dimmed and extinguished, but her life will never be forgotten.
Suzanne loved the beauty in life. Please wear bright colors in celebrating and honoring her life.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Suzanne's memory to:
The Capuchin Fathers at the Catholic Center at Citadel Mall. 750 Citadel Drive East, Suite 3056 Colorado Springs, CO 80909
Phone: 719 573 7364
www.capuchins.org www.catholiccitadel.org
or
Catholic Relief Services PO BOX 17090 Baltimore, MD 21297-0303
