Dorothy Marie Gibbs

Dorothy Marie Louise Gibbs, 94, of North Lauderdale, Fl, passed away on Friday, March 24th, 2017 in Horizon Bay Tamarac I, in Tamarac, FL of natural causes. She was born on February 2nd, 1923 in Mount Saint George, Tobago, of the twin island nation Trinidad and Tobago. She was the daughter of Eton Gibbs, a Botanist for the Botanical Gardens in Scarborough, Tobago, and Alberta Edwards, A teacher. Dorothy was raised by her father and step-mother. In 1946, Dorothy moved to the island of Trinidad, where she worked for Mario’s (a liquor store) and eventually The Breakfast Shed (Diner), cooking for the soldiers and workers of the oil fields. As a single parent, she solely raised her five children, garnering assistance from friends in caring for them, and learning how to construct crafts, which she began to sell and teach, to help supplement her income.

On January 29th, 1968, she permanently relocated to the United States where she worked as a live-in Nanny to a family in Baltimore, MD. After a short period, she determined that this was not a career path she wanted to pursue. Consequently, she moved to New York City on April 4th, 1968 (later as she tells the story of her relocation, she would say, “the date that Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated). While in New York, she worked as a Nurse for Bird S. Koler Hospital for 20 years. She retired in January 1988.

Dorothy then relocated to Florida (to get away from the “cold” as she would say), where she immediately joined the Village United Methodist Church and served in a variety of positions to include; Women’s Group Secretary, Choir, and Treasurer. She also was a very active member of the Salvation Army of Broward, which she joined in October 1993.

Dorothy had a passion for cooking, baking and traveling. Dorothy also enjoyed arts and crafts and volunteered her time and talent to many Vacation Bible School events. She loved to travel and visited Africa, England, Israel, New Zealand and South Korea.

Dorothy is survived by her sisters Reenie and Pearl and her brother Micah. Dorothy is also survived by her children, Kenwyn Gibbs and his wife Mary of Brooklyn, NY, Yvonne Gibbs of Brooklyn, NY, Ruthven Gibbs of Savannah, GA, Ruth Fraser of Brooklyn, NY and Cheryl Ann (Cindy) Ryan and her husband Edwin of Bronx, NY. She also has fifteen Grandchildren, ranging in ages from 10 to 47; seven Great-Grandchildren, and one Great-Great-Grandchild, and many, many loving friends.

In lieu of flowers please make all donations in her Honor, to the Salvation Army of Broward County.