Jennifer Gibson

Jennifer Elizabeth Gibson (nee Kift)

April 29, 1959 – Oshawa, Ontario

August 15, 2024 – Scarborough, Ontario

It is with great sadness and with the humble acceptance of God’s will that we announce the passing of Jennifer Elizabeth Gibson into the presence of her Lord on August 15, 2024. She died at Centenary Hospital Scarborough Ontario due to pneumonia.

Jennifer was the beloved wife of John Gibson and youngest daughter of Harry and Mamie Kift and step-daughter to Jean Kift of Oshawa, sister of Jane Schultz (Nick) and Susan Jull (Peter) both of Calgary, brother of Philip Kift (Edith) of Cobourg, and aunt to Katie, Rebecca, Mark, Oliver, William, Heidi, Erin and Christine. Jennifer was predeceased by her mother Mamie (1980) and father Harry (2007).

Jennifer was born in Oshawa Ontario on April 29, 1959. From a young child and throughout her life, she was all about family. She loved spending time at her parents’ various cottages in Northern Ontario, fishing in her dad’s rowboat in summer, and holding the fishing line with her dad in the ice fishing house on Lake Temagami. Stories about her experiences crossing Lake Temagami on skidoo with her parents in stormy weather over areas of spring melting ice were fascinating to hear from her perspective.

Jennifer was a lover of fun and adventure. She and her husband John vacationed throughout Ontario and in Florida, Hawaii and Calgary. They attended the Calgary Stampede with family and their Stampeding was full of many adventures for all of us.

Jennifer began to experience health challenges as an early teen. She bravely endured all that goes along with epilepsy. In spite of numerous medical treatments including major surgeries at the Montreal Neurological Institute, Jennifer survived the odds many times.

Jennifer met her husband John while they were both volunteering at Arc Industries. At that time, John was making a miraculous recovery from his own physical health issues. John has said many times that the moment he saw Jennifer there, he knew she was the one for him. They married in 1984 in Oshawa and resided in Scarborough. Due to health issues Jennifer moved to Seven Oaks Long Term Care Home where she resided until her death. John visited Jennifer regularly and was her stalwart supporter throughout the many years that Seven Oaks was her home.

Jennifer received excellent care from the kind staff at Seven Oaks who cared for all of her needs. Jennifer was a self-advocate; staff knew what she needed. The attentiveness and patience from all of the staff has been much appreciated. The family wish to thank Dr. Hoffman, Jennifer’s social worker Carol Protain, and the nursing staff for their devotion and excellent care of Jennifer and for always keeping the family advised as appropriate of her progress. Dr Hoffman has shared that Jennifer was among the longest patients in his care.

Jennifer grew up in a Christian home and attended Sunday school and church at Faith Baptist Church in Whitby. She often shared her faith with staff at Seven Oaks and would inquire if they knew about Jesus. They knew as we knew that Jennifer had a strong faith and loved Jesus with her whole heart.

In lieu of flowers donations to Epilepsy Ontario or Seven Oaks would be appreciated. Visit epilepsy.ca or visit Donate TO - Invest in Community and People - Donate to Long-Term Care Homes - Program select Seven Oaks.

Services for Jennifer will be held at Seven Oaks Long Term Care Home, 9 Neilson Rd. Scarborough, Ontario on Thursday August 22, 2024 at 10:00AM followed by a reception at 11:00 AM. A grave side service will follow at Mount Lawn Cemetery, Whitby, for family members only.

A memorial service for Jennifer will be held Thursday, August 22, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Seven Oaks Long-Term Care Home (City of Toronto), 9 Neilson Rd, Toronto, ON M1E 5E1. Following the memorial service will be a graveside service from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Mount Lawn Funeral Home & Cemetery, 21 Garrard Rd, Whitby, ON L1N 3K4.