- Date Of Birth: November 4, 1931
- Date Of Death: January 15, 2020
- State: Texas
Renate “Rene” Reher Gibbons, 88, of Boerne passed away in San Antonio on Wednesday, January 15, 2020.
Rene was born on November 4, 1931 in Hamburg, Germany to Otto and Theresa (Noren) Reher. In 1939, her parents were drafted into Hitler’s army causing her to be raised in boarding schools run by the German government. In 1956 she married the love of her life, John Sydney Gibbons, a British MP serving in Hamburg. Mr. Gibbons was killed in a construction accident while they were still newlyweds living in Dover, England. After Johnnie’s death, Rene returned to Germany where she lived until 1975 when she started her journey to the United States by way of British Honduras and Mexico. She arrived in the United States on March 6, 1978 and eventually made her way to Boerne.
Rene was a loyal friend, a lifelong animal activist and loved to learn. She was a self-taught musician, playing both the piano and accordion, and she loved the arts. She was also a news junkie, almost never missing the nightly world news. Rene was a volunteer at heart, always willing to lend a hand at Hill Country Mission for Health, Hill Country Animal League, Boerne Animal Control Facility, Methodist Church Thrift Store, and wherever else she saw there was a need.
Rene is survived by her cat, Pushkin and her dog, Astrid. While Rene had no biological family, she leaves behind many friends who loved her, including, but not limited to: Cindy Silva, Tom & Martha Rossington, Amy Lambiase, Bob & Patricia Ogle, James & Lori Cline, Linda De la Fuente, Denise Walker, and William & Mary Holt.
Rene was preceded in death by her husband, John Sydney Gibbons; her parents, Otto and Theresa Reher; dear friends, Mimi Cline, Mr. and Mrs. John Bridges, and many faithful and loyal dogs and cats.
Rene’s friends would like to express their gratitude towards Dr. Ben Stahl & his staff, Methodist ER of Boerne, Main Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Boerne Fire Department, Boerne EMS and all of our first responders for the love and care shown to her over the years.
