Harriet Helena Gibbons

Harriet was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, August 13, 1918. She was raised by her parents William G. Fletcher and Dorothy (Hanks) Fletcher in Bogota, New Jersey. At 17 she moved to Pasadena, CA, with her mother.

Her marriage to Guy Chadbourn was the stuff of romantic novels. She was engaged at the time when she called for a cab that he happened to be driving. It was love at first sight, and she broke off her engagement, marrying Guy six weeks later, on Christmas Eve, 1938. She lost him in 1969. She found happiness later with Lloyd Gibbons, whom she married in 1972. After 25 years with Lloyd, she was again widowed and chose to remain single for the remainder of her life.

Her artistic nature was evident in the beautiful oils she painted. She was also a skilled photographer. She loved to garden and had a lovely yard. She and Lloyd enjoyed several years traveling about the country in recreational vehicles.

She was a very independent minded woman. She learned to drive, in secret, when she was first married, and Guy didn't speak to her for three days (at that time, women weren't supposed to drive). But drive she did.

She was a very caring and giving woman. As a member of Soroptimist International in Chico she spent several years assisting at the local nursing home and senior center and visiting lonely seniors. She collected friends wherever she went and tried to help them wherever she could. She also volunteered, in her 80s, for a program to help young students improve their reading skills. As a member of First Christian Church in Chico she often contributed to their bake sales and other fund raising activities, until she could no longer knit or sew.

She moved to Prineville in 2012. She is survived by two daughters, Michele (Chadbourn) Youker of Prineville, OR, and Christine (Chadbourn) Powell of Fair Oaks, CA; two step-daughters, Marilyn (Gibbons) Whitney (Bud), of LaVerne, CA, and Donna (Gibbons) Morrissy (Ken) of Weaverville, CA; and step-son Gordon Gibbons (Rosemary) of Loomis, CA. She was also grandmother to 12 grandchildren,16 great grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren.

She chose her final resting place to be with 1st husband Guy in Chico, CA. A celebration of life service will be held in Chico in the Spring.

In lieu of flowers, and in recognition of her love of gardening, you may wish to plant a tree or shrub in her memory. Also, donations may be made to your favorite charity in her name.