Ribella Gerwin

Ribella Gerwin , the youngest 101 year old you’ve ever met and longtime resident of Silver Spring, Maryland, passed away May 2, 2022. “Bella” (or Marnie as she is known to her grands and greats) was born in Boston, Massachusetts, the daughter of Pio and Ernesta (Noni) Gobbi, and oldest of three children. Her beloved husband, Harry Gerwin, her brother Spartico (Sparky) Gobbi and sister, Ida (Edair) Pugsley all preceded her in death.

Bella’s loves in life were her family first, her dogs second, gardening third and lastly, Hawaii Five-O and Jack Lord! Bella and her husband, Harry, met and married just as WWII was ending, in October of 1943. They raised five children: Pat, Sandy, Barbara, Bonnie, and Steve. The family grew with 14 grandchildren: Carole, Pamela, Alex, Mark, Bonnie, Lauren, Kim, Lindsay, Michael, Allyson, Matthew, Mitchell, Marshall, Maggie. And grew again with 21 great-grandchildren: Colton, Austin, Blake, Bella, Molly, Amy, Sadie, Hannah, Abby, Penny, Audrey, Katie, Evie, Kailee, Bennett, Birdie, Emma, RJ, Janos, Violet, and Lola.

After the “kids” moved out to start their own lives, Bella loved working at a local school cafeteria, laughing and joking with the kids. Eventually, she moved on to her next love, gardening and joined the Behnke’s Nursery family with her hands in the dirt bringing so many new seedlings to life for people to bring home and nurture. For years she was watched over by her faithful companion, Feta (a sweet, loving Labrador) the last of many dogs that she loved unconditionally and missed terribly. In the evenings Bella and Feta could be found in the family room with the TV on watching Hawaii Five-O together! She was a wonderful homemaker and enjoyed cooking, baking, canning, and family gatherings at every holiday celebration (particularly when one of the “guys” cooked on the grill). Everyone in the family treasured those Saturday night spaghetti dinners and planned for months to be “home” for Christmas to a house filled with love and adorned inside and out with many cherished decorations.

She was the best mom, grandmother and great-grandmother that anyone could ask for. She was always there to help family and friends and it was so comforting to know that you could always call her for advice or if you just needed a shoulder to cry on. Bella was a great listener, and her kindness and compassion toward others was something for which we will be forever grateful.

The graveside service for Ribella was held Friday, May 6, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Union Cemetery, 3001 Spencerville Road, Burtonsville, Maryland 20866.

There will be a memorial service on July 16th, 2022 at 11AM at Liberty Grove United Methodist Church,15225 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville, MD 20866.

In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial contribution in Ribella's name to Montgomery Hospice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hinesrinaldifuneralhome.com for the Gerwin family.