Irene Lopez Gibson was born to loving and hard-working parents, Nicholas and Antonia in 1936, in Houston, Texas. They instilled in her a profound unshakeable faith, a love of family, and an indomitable spirit. Growing up, Irene was known as a happy go lucky girl with an insatiable curiosity. Being the consummate big sister, she often helped care for and watch her younger siblings when her parents were away. Even at that young age, Irene was already building her sense of responsibility and need to be of service. As a teenager, in 1952, Irene entered the convent of the Missionary Catechists of Divine Providence where she remained for 7 years. She later earned her Bachelors in English from Our Lady of the Lake University. This accomplishment came at a time when it was virtually unheard of for a Hispanic daughter of immigrants, to go to college, much less earn a university degree. She transferred her love of service and her want to help others into a teaching career and it was in 1963 that Irene was recruited to be an educator in Hawai’i. Leaving all she had known, and her close-knit family was not an easy decision for her, but she broke commonly held cultural tradition, packed her bags, her VW bug, and flew to Hawaii. Irene was a trailblazer. It was while teaching in Hawai’i that Irene would meet the love of her life, her best friend, her bow-legged cowboy, and her life partner of 50+ years, Stephen K Gibson
Stephen and Irene started sewing together a tapestry, made of their shared love of God, deep rooted faith, cultural pride, their love of service to others, adventure, and strong family bonds. Theirs was not a marriage that was easily accepted by others. When they married, the US was in the throes of war and strife with conflict surrounding race and inequality. Irene faced the challenges of marrying outside of race and racial prejudice, as she did with all the mountains she climbed, with grace, forgiveness, and a rock-solid determination. Upon her return to TX in 1972, Irene continued to teach. Throughout her 35-year career, Irene would be recognized as one of the top educators in the state and was beloved by administrators and students alike. Irene was known to provide aid to her students and families that reached far beyond the classroom. She would help parents by offering support in learning English, food and clothing for their families, and by assisting them in navigating the immigration system. Along with Stephen, Irene gave outreach to the homeless and hungry and taught her children to have open and giving hearts as well. Her faith and love of God only continued to grow through her life. She was a proud member of the Society of the Sacred Heart, taught CCD classes, volunteered her time to fundraising and charity events, and never stopped her love and support for the MCDP’s. She did not just teach her faith, but she spent her life living it too. Irene and Stephen were dedicated and loving parents that instilled in their children a strong sense of pride for their mixed heritage, deep faith, open hearts, and an unbreakable bond between them. Irene welcomed all who needed respite, love, and support regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, and background. She was not one to mince words when needed and did so with a loving but firm hand. Irene was a strong, outspoken, fearless woman of God that lived her life in service of others. She was the matriarch and leader of her family and passed her strength, fearless resolve, and beautifully lived legacy to her children, grand-children, and to future generations to come. For those that were blessed to have known and love Irene, she will live in their hearts and memories always. Irene lived a long and happy life surrounded by family, friends, God and community
Irene was the oldest surviving child of Nicholas and Antonia Lopez. She was a beloved daughter, wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Irene was preceded in death by her best friend and husband of over fifty years, Stephen Kepano Gibson. She is survived by her youngest sister, Sister Rosita Lopez, her daughter Celeste Leilani Kekaulike Hartigan and her husband Thomas Hartigan, son Jonathan Kepano Gibson, youngest daughter, Marissa Hokulani Kamamalu Gibson-Rios and her husband Hector Rios Jr, daughter-in-law Erica Gibson, grandchildren Elizabeth Smith and husband Steve Smith, Stephany Lokelani Gibson and fiancé Christopher Miguel, Makaelah Ehu O’Kalani Gibson, Elizabeth Noelani Gibson, Nathaniel Kalehuamakanoe Gibson, Joshua Matthew Rios, Nicholas Kepano Gibson, Noah Pono Gibson, Isaac Koa Gibson, great-grandson Steven Smith, and many cousins, nephews, nieces, and treasured friends.
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