Rita Anne Gibbons

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Rita was raised in both Chicago and Indianapolis, Indiana. Her husband, John Patrick “Pat” Gibbons, was a childhood friend, who she married in her mid-twenties. Rita went to Marian College (now Marian University) and was extremely proud to have graduated in 3 years. Pat was a Purdue engineering graduate, another fact that Rita was proud to share with anyone she met. Pat and Rita spent their married life moving across the country for engineering jobs. They lived in California, Washington, Utah, Maryland, Missouri, and Pennsylvania. After Pat’s sudden death in 1991, Rita continued to move, following her children and grandchildren to California, Colorado and eventually Phoenix.

Rita was a devout Catholic and proud of the family’s Catholic heritage on both sides. Her father was Polish Catholic; her mother Lithuanian Catholic and her husband was from Irish Catholic stock. Rita regularly stated that the greatest gift she had received in life was her faith, and she desired nothing more than her children to keep and pass the faith along to their children and grandchildren.

One cannot think of Rita without mentioning her financial savvy and adept bridge playing. She loved following the markets, investing in stocks, and participating in bridge games with talented and skilled bridge players. These two activities in particular kept Rita mentally sharp well into her 90s.

Rita was predeceased by her parents, Michael and Anna Wokna; her husband, John “Pat” Gibbons; her younger brother, Jack Wokna, and her youngest daughter, Sheila Smith (Pat). She is survived by sons John Gibbons, Tim Gibbons (Kristin), Kevin Gibbons (Diana) and Jerry Gibbons (Paola) as well as daughters Mary Margaret Schoep (Mike), Mary Anne Gibbons, Colette Samuel (Craig) and Claire Schack (Eric). In addition, she leaves behind 24 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren, naturally in various states.

The family welcomes condolences on this memorial page. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local Catholic church or charity in memory of Rita.