Sussman-Laabs

Ella Mae Gibson

Fort Gratiot Twp.

Ella Mae Gibson, 81 of Fort Gratiot Twp. passed away on Wednesday, July 27, 2016. She was born to Frank Edward and Senja Edward Anderson Jarvenpaa in Detroit, MI on August 30, 1934.

During her childhood in Detroit, she was active in the Bethlehem Evangelical Finnish Lutheran Church girls choir. Later she worked for the Detroit Insurance Agency and Lincoln Mercury Division of Ford Motor Co.

On June 21 1958 she married Charles Ernest Gibson in Detroit. In 1960 Charles and Ella had their only child Cindy Lee Gibson. In 1969 the family moved to Port Huron where Ella was active in several choirs. She worked at Acheson Colloids as a Export Coordinator until retiring in 1996. She sang the National Anthem 17 straight years for the July 4th Parade in Lexington MI. She also was instrumental in starting the "Joint Hospital Octoberfest" in 1975. One of her greatest achievements was singing with the DSO and the International Chorus at Meadowbrook Festival.

Ella loved life and sharing time with friends and family. Some her favorite activities included dancing with her husband, Chuck, playing in many golf leagues, water aerobics, sun worshiping, long walks, and, of course, anything music. Her kind spirit was inspiring to all.

Ella is survived by her husband Chuck; her daughter, Cindy Lee Gibson of Auburn Hills; her three granddaughters Andrea (Don) Wilkerson of Ann Arbor, Danielle Hebner of Concord, CA and Shannon Hebner of Auburn Hills; two great grandchildren, Chelsea and Landon Wilkerson; her two sisters Carol Hayes of Plainville, MI and Helen (Don) Glemby of Long Island, NY.; a sister-in-law, Joann Graham of Lapeer; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sister, Jean Jarvenpaa, her brother, Don Jarvenpaa, and her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John and Mary Gibson.

The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 30, 2016 in Smith Family Funeral Home-North, 1525 Hancock St. preceded by a visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Pastor Max Amstutz will officiate. Inurnment will be in Allied Veterans Cemetery Columbarium at a later time.

Contributions may be made in Ella Mae's memory to UNICEF or the charity of the donor's choice . To send condolences, please visit smithfamilyfuneralhome.com Published in The Times Herald on July 29, 2016