Frances "Fran" May Guffey Gibson

GIBSON, Frances (Fran) May Guffey, peacefully passed away December 22, 2014. She was born August 9, 1919 in Danville, KY of George and Etta (Stephens) Guffey. Fran was a tenacious, independent woman and storyteller who loved to read. She graduated from the University of Kentucky in music, did post graduate work in piano at the University of Louisville and was a member of the Kappa chapter of Phi Beta. Fran taught music at Iowa State College, worked at Crile Veterans Hospital in Cleveland, OH and then accepted a post with the Red Cross where she was a Hospital Recreation Aide at Darnell General Hospital and Patterson Field (WPAFB) during WWII. In 1947 she was transferred to Europe where she spent time in Germany and the Bavarian Alps working with servicemen suffering from what we now call “PTSD” through the use of music in her recreation programs. After leaving Red Cross, Fran taught music at Durrett High School in Louisville, KY for 25 years and then the University of Louisville until her retirement in 1979. On November 28, 1954 Fran married Dallas Bruce Gibson in Danville, KY and was happily married until his death in 2001. Fran was also preceded in death by her brothers; Ralph and Stephen, sisters; Doris, Kathleen and Louise, daughter-in-law Judy Gibson and nephew Mark Bailey.She is survived by stepson Bruce (Dottie) Gibson, step grandchildren; Terri (Jeffrey) Schimer, Michael (Tracey) Gibson, step great-grandchildren; Jessica (Drew) Gibson, Margaret Schimer, Dallas Gibson, nephew George (Eleanor) Bailey, numerous family members and very dear friends. Visitation will be from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 29, 2014 at the TOBIAS FUNERAL HOME FAR HILLS CHAPEL, 5471 Far Hills Ave., Dayton, Ohio 45429, with the funeral service immediately following. Rev. Tony Miltenberger officiating. Interment will be at 3:30 p.m. at Hillcrest Cemetery, Perryville, KY. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Ave., Dayton, Ohio 45420. Condolences may be made to www.tobiasfuneralhome.com