Loretta Croce Gibbs
April 14, 1941 - March 11, 2014
Loretta "Lolly" Croce Gibbs, 72, passed away in her Albany home.
Born in Chattanooga, Tenn., she grew up in Birmingham, Ala., where she lived most of her life. She was involved in student government, poetry, music and theater throughout school. She also worked in the family clothing business until graduation when she moved to Atlanta and met the love of her life. Wes and Lolly moved back to Birmingham to raise their family. They shared many happy times and countless weekends at Lake Guntersville boating with their two children.
In so many ways, Lolly was the definition of capable and dynamic. She was a true entrepreneur and owned several businesses and worked as the chief financial officer for others. When Lolly was ready to retire, she moved to the Northwest to be closer to her family. She loved being in Oregon!
Her mind was full of projects, large and small and at the time of her unexpected passing, there were at least a dozen in full swing. Her heart was filled with the love of her children and grandchildren and she was a fantastic hugger! She was very compassionate toward animals and rescued all kinds.
Lolly may have been the first organic gardener in Alabama (a family joke) because she was always collecting and drying seeds, starting plants, composting, and canning or making jelly. Evidence of her nurturing nature is all around her home. In it, one sees the results of her boundless creative energy. Her hands were always in motion. She was a talented crocheter, imaginative seamstress and quilter, a fine baker and cook, and a clever wood worker. These skills demonstrated her ingenuity about design.
She was a true artist able to sing, play the piano, write poetry and paint ceramics. She loved the fun of card playing and completing word and picture puzzles. A day at the beach or casino provided equal pleasure. The sun and sand filled her with joy and was like a second home. And, this lady had luck; she walked out of a casino with more money than she walked in.
Most recently, her life in Albany reflected any typical period in her life. The list of organizations and activities was diverse and each one she gave the energy of five people: Master Gardeners, Planning and Zoning Committee, P.E.O, Albany FitWalkers, Silver Striders, Albany Carousel Project, avid Geo Cacher, intrepid RVer and seasonal park host, volunteer at Oregon Caves, driver for the Veterans' Administration, and a committee member for Meals on Wheels. And, she still worked part time!
We invite friends to celebrate her life from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, at her home. If you need information or directions please contact the funeral home.
For Lolly, each day was a new day, and her zest for life will always inspire us.