Nila Joan Alam

Nila Joan (Gibson) Alam was the oldest child of Melba Attera (Jensen) Gibson and Donald Alma Gibson. She was born on November 18, 1934 in Burley, Cassia County, Idaho. She passed away January 20, 2025.

She also lived in Oregon City, North Bend, Coos Bay, Grants Pass, and Gold Beach, Oregon, and finally settled in Marysville and Arlington, Washington.

In 1952, Nila married Dale F. Alam. She married George C. Heckathorn in 1968. Then in 1987, she returned to her first love Dale until he passed in 2014.

In her early 30’s, she joined The Little Theater in North Bend, Oregon. She loved reminiscing about the plays she was in. There she met her best friend, Carol Scofield. They became so close that they shared their children. MomCarol has always been a part of Mom’s life. Her three kids (Deborah, Steve and Ken) call our mom Gabby. We are all family.

Mommy loved genealogy. It was her passion for most of her life. She also loved reading. She was the church librarian for a very long time.

She was an avid Mariners fan; and you could hear her yelling "Ichiro" from the driveway.

While living in Gold Beach, Oregon, she had a sewing business called Hems and Patches (and Zippers too). She sewed wedding dresses and quillows, and fixed many missionaries’ ripped seams.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale F. Alam, and three of her children - Donald M. Alam of Bothell, Washington, Kimi M. (Alam) Cooper of Everett, Washington and William R. Heckathorn of Jackson, Alabama.

Nila’s remaining children, Richard N. Alam of Arlington, Washington, Carolynn J. (Alam) Hess of Vancouver, Washington and Patricia G. (Heckathorn) Rodgers of Jackson, Alabama, will think of their Mommy daily for the rest of their lives.

Nila loved being a Grandma and was blessed with 16 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Nila has joined her brother, Ramon L. Gibson, and her sister, Colleen Patricia (Gibson) Cain in Heaven.

She is survived by three brothers - Darryl E. Gibson of St. George, Utah, Gail A. Gibson of Mt. Pleasant, Utah and (Butch) Larry D. Gibson of Coquille, Oregon.

Service will be held at 1:00pm on March 1, 2025 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints: 7101 NE 166th Avenue, Vancouver, WA 98682.