December 29, 1930 - October 7, 2024
Newbery, OH- Marjorie Cook Gibbs, age 93, passed away peacefully on 7 October 2024 in Newbury, Ohio.
She was born on December 29, 1930, in Highland, New York to Troy Maurice and Pearl Helen Bedwell Cook. In 1948, after graduating as valedictorian of her high school class, she enrolled at SUNY Fredonia, later receiving a certification in counseling at SUNY Oswego. Marjorie often reflected on the good fortune of having a father and mother who supported her pursuit of higher education, something that was uncommon for women at the time.
At SUNY Fredonia she met her future husband, Robert Flint Gibbs of Seneca Falls, New York. They were married in Highland, New York in August 1950, graduating in 1952 with a bachelor's degree in music education. They settled in Sauquoit, New York, relocating to Union Springs, New York, in 1965. In 1968, Marjorie accepted a position as a middle school music teacher in the Union Springs Central School district. A little over four years later she became a high school guidance counselor, a vocation to which she was passionately dedicated. She retired in 1986 and moved to Saratoga Springs, New York in 1999. Her beloved husband Bob died in 2009.
Marjorie was intellectually curious, loved people, and always enjoyed conversation. She had a passion for genealogy and history and was a founding member of the Frontenac Historical Society in Union Springs, New York. She wrote four books on the genealogy of the Bedwell, Cook, Flint, and Gibbs families and collaborated with Bob on his writings of the Haslach family. Her other interests included gardening, reading, writing, music, choral singing, and traveling. She taught courses in music appreciation and genealogy at the Empire State College Academy of Lifelong Learning and was an active member of
United Methodist Church in Saratoga Springs, New York. She was ardently devoted to her family, admiring and celebrating milestones in the lives of her children and grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, Marjorie was predeceased by her sister Mavis. She is survived by her five children and their spouses: David and Betsy (Bennett) Gibbs, Saratoga Springs, NY; Richard and Edie (Hecht) Gibbs, Chagrin Falls, OH; Susan (Gibbs) and Mark VanArendonk, Morristown, NJ, Stuart and Angela (Caro) Gibbs, Berlin, MD, and Brian and Barbara (Reisinger) Gibbs, Bad Homburg, Germany. Her grandchildren include Jason Gibbs (Danielle); Jon Gibbs (Jamie); Benjamin Gibbs (Amy); Robb Gibbs; William Gibbs: Kathryn VanArendonk (David); Laura Blanton (Jacob); Tarah Threadgill (Geoff); Hailey Gibbs (Chris); Anna, Emily, and Liam Gibbs, and her great-grandchildren Zachary, Natalie, Bennett, Foster, Claire, Alice, Caroline, Phoebe, and Sawyer.
A memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at the Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church, 175 5th Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/ Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Home, 628 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church or Shelters of Saratoga Inc.: 14 Walworth St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
Online remembrances may be made at