Lillian I. Gibbons

Lillian Gibbons , age 80, of Atlanta, Georgia, died Saturday morning, March 10, 2012. Lillian died of heart failure with her husband Corky at her side. Lilly was born Lillian Ann Iacozza, January 8, 1932 in Norwich, Connecticut. Her parents were Christina Choti Iacozza and Daniel Anthony Iacozza. She had three siblings, Gloria Iacozza Gauvin, Viola Iacozzza Fettuccia, and Anthony Daniel Iacozza. Lilly grew up in Connecticut-it was here she spent her childhood years. She always said her teachers asked why she couldn’t be more like her older sisters, but Lillian never failed to leave her mark. She was a unique personality and a dynamo of energy. She attended Norwich Free Academy where she was involved in many clubs and sports. She was working at the movie theater when she met a young Naval seaman from the submarine base. Lillian refused to date him, but he persistently returned and spent a fortune on movie tickets. Lilly and her Corky [Edmond Eldred Gibbons] were married in Norwich, Connecticut on July 14, 1951. Last year they celebrated 60 years together with a big family dinner. Lillian was the first female bus driver in Norwich able to drive the often icy and snowy routes up the steep hills. She was a leader and a tour de force among the Navy wives. She organized fundraising, parties, socials, and acted as a source of support for the many wives while their husbands were at seas for three to six months at a time. Lilly was the rock around which they navigated. She also gave birth to a son in 1958, Edmond Eldred Gibbons ,II (‘Little Corky’). She remained active and faithful in the Catholic Church her whole life and a dedicated Republican. Later after her husband Corky retired from the Navy, Lilly moved to Atlanta, Georgia. In Atlanta Lillian was involved at Marist School where her son was enrolled. She also worked in the data processing and insurance industries. Lillian is survived by her husband of 60 years Edmond Eldred ‘Corky’ Gibbons; her son Edmond Eldred Gibbons, II (Corky) and his wife Wendy Rogler Gibbons; her two grandsons Daniel Louis Gibbons and Andrew Edmond Gibbons; siblings Viola Iacozza Fettuccia and her husband Patrick Fettuccia; and her brother Anthony Daniel Iacozza and his wife Marie Iacozza. Lillian is also survived by nieces Donna Fettuccia Templeton; Lisa Marie Iacozza, Toni Iacozza Brown, and Ashley Gibbons Bramlett. Her beloved dog Woody misses her dearly. A memorial service will be held Monday, March 12, 2012 at 3:00PM. The service will be in the Sunrise Chapel on the grounds of Arlington Memorial Park 201 Mount Vernon Road, NW. Sandy Springs, GA. 30328. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Open house to follow at the home of Corky and Wendy Gibbons. The greatest love of Lilly’s life were her grandsons, Dan and Andy. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Dunwoody High School Wildcat Fund (a 501c corporation). She was a mother, a wife, and a friend who was well loved.