- Date Of Birth: July 26, 1927
- Date Of Death: August 30, 2012
- State: Michigan
Harriette Jane Gibson, 85, of Harbert, Michigan passed away Wednesday, August 29, 2012 in Harbert.Harriette was born July 26, 1927 in Lakeside, Michigan to John P. and Mame (Riekert) Gibson, who owned and operated Gibson’s General Store there for many years.She graduated from Three Oaks High School in 1944 and became a secretary at the Warren Featherbone Company in Three Oaks.
In 1946, after graduating from the South Bend College of Commerce, she was employed in the College office. Harriette then worked at the Studebaker Corporation in South Bend, first in the Advertising Department, and later as Secretary to the Sales Manager. After a brief summer with the Lock Joint Pipe Company in Denver, Colorado, however, her principal employment was with the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons in Detroit. She began as Administrative Secretary in 1957 and retired in 1988 as its Executive Director. During that time, Harriette traveled extensively with the Society, including trips to England and Europe, plus independent travel to Australia and New Zealand.
In 1983 the Society honored her with its Clifford M. Hardwick Award for her dedicated service. While in Detroit, Harriette also served for several years as Executive Director of the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery and collaborated with its Secretary, Dr. Norman Nigro, in the writing and publication of the Board’s history on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.After retiring, Harriette returned to this area to be near family members and resided in Harbert. She was a veteran bird watcher, enjoyed being outdoors, and tending her vegetable garden. She was also a sports enthusiast, especially baseball, and was a life-long and long-suffering Cubs fan.
Survivors include her niece, Jayne Gibson of Tampa, Florida; nephews, Harold (Lori) Gibson of Stevensville, Michigan, John (Martha) Gibson of Sammamish, Washington; Jack (Rhonda) Gibson of Sawyer, Michigan and Bill Gibson of Stevensville, many great nieces and nephews and sisters-in-law, Betty Gibson of Lakeside and Janice Gibson of Benton Harbor, Michigan. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Dr. Anne M. (Robert) Thompson, Marilyn S and Sally J. Gibson and brothers, John A., William H., Harold J., and Jack P. Gibson.
