Dorothy M. “Dottie” Gibbs, age 88, of East Sandwich, ended her courageous battle with pancreatic cancer on Thursday, September 20, 2018. Dorothy was the beloved wife of the late Edwin C. “Bunny” Gibbs, with whom she celebrated 50 years of marriage and six children. Born in Wareham, she was the daughter of the late Alvin and Alice (Swift) Philbrick.
Dorothy was the anchor for her family during calm seas and rough waters. She was a devoted mother to her loving children, Edwin C. Gibbs and his wife Pamela of Sandwich, Patricia Martin and her husband Rusty of Port Charlotte, Florida, Alvin W. Gibbs of Sandwich, James R. Gibbs of Sandwich, Richard Gibbs of Bourne, and Tammy A. Gibbs and her husband Brian Thierwechter of Sandwich, and the sister of Gail Hutchins of Onset and the late Alvin Philbrick. She cherished her 18 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, several great great grandchildren, and her many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Dorothy loved the simple pleasures in life. Her greatest enjoyment was the treasured time she spent with her family and friends. She was a very well-known, respected and beloved member of the Town of Sandwich for decades. She loved the Holiday Season and shared this love with the community by opening her yard to visitors, young and old, at the “Gibbsville” Christmas display for over 30 years. It is just one of the many opportunities Dorothy took to give back to the community and people less fortunate.
She also enjoyed traveling and watching figure skating and game shows on television. On any given day, you could find her out in her yard gardening, at figure skating competitions or volunteering her time at the Cape Cod BMX concession stand. Cooking Sunday dinner, surrounded by her family, was one of her greatest pleasures.
Dorothy was the owner of Gibbs Rubbish & Brush Removal in Sandwich, a business started by her father-in-law decades ago using a horse and wagon. She worked tirelessly over the decades, side by side with her husband, building the business into a successful enterprise for her family and for her customers, who loved and respected her for so many years. Even well into her 80’s, Dorothy could be seen around town working to keep her customers happy. Over the years, she also worked at the Sagamore Shoe Factory, Spuds Restaurant and was a bus driver for the Upper Cape Regional Technical School route.
The family is forever grateful to the medical team at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital, led by Dr. Bodio, for the level of care, compassion, kindness and comfort they bestowed on Dorothy and her family during this time. It is greatly appreciated.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Needham, Attn: Kelly Wallace, Development Office, 148 Chestnut Street, Needham, MA 02492. Please make checks payable to “Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Needham Lank Cancer Center” and include Dorothy Gibbs in the check memo line. Gifts may also be made online at www.bidneedham.org/giving. Donations in Dorothy’s name can also be made to the Sandwich Professional Firefighters.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 27, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Home, 154 Route 6A, Sandwich. Funeral services will take place on Friday, September 28, at 11:00 a.m., followed by burial at Spring Hill Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited. To leave a note of condolence, please visit www.nickersonbournefuneralhome.com.
