On June 4, 2023, Martha Pearl Gibbs, of Rutland, passed away peacefully at the Rose Monahan Hospice Home in Worcester, at the age of 90. Born June 7, 1932, in Ayer, Martha was the daughter of Joseph F. Gendreau and Helen (Lahti) Sandell.
After attending schools in Ayer, she moved to Fitchburg and graduated from Fitchburg High School in 1950. She furthered her education in the nursing field after working many years as an LPN and Registered Nurse. She went on to be a Nurse educator where she found her great joy of teaching. She held degrees from Fitchburg State, both her BS (1978) and Master’s of Education in 1979. She also attended Anna Maria College, receiving her MSN in 1985.

Her career began as an LPN at Burbank Hospital, working in the emergency room and surgery. She served as an in-service coordinator at Birchwood Manor Extended Care. After continuing her education, she then served on the faculty at Worcester Hahnemann Hospital and various other facilities until her retirement. Her hobbies were bowling, needlework, and word puzzles.

She is predeceased by her husband William W. Gibbs Jr., who passed on October 1, 2022, and her grandson Daniel on January 29, 2014, and five nephews. She is survived by her three children Vickie (Gibbs) Muller, David W. Gibbs (with partner Frank), and J. F. Daniel Gibbs (with Michelle), eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, one niece and one nephew, and Gabby, her beloved cat.

She lived well, working hard all her life. She was always teaching and is deeply appreciated for all she shared. “GGMO”, as she was affectionately known by her grandchildren and family, will be missed and loved always. She also often urged that we relax and be at peace, be kind, keep our hearts right, to love and trust God always.

“After the Darkness daylight shines through, After the showers, the rainbow in view. After Life’s heartaches, there comes from above the Peace and Comfort of God’s Endless Healing Love!”

The family honors her request for no services or “fanfare” — to celebrate her life, she requests donations to N.E.A.D.S. at https://neads.org/get-involved/donate/, Breast Cancer research at https://donate.cancer.org/ and the Choroideremia Foundation at https://www.curechm.org/donate/ Funeral arrangements are under the care of Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden.