On Monday, February 6, 2023, Nancy Catherine Gibbs, loving wife, mother, and grandmother passed away at the age of 71.
Nancy was born on October 10, 1951, in Canton, Illinois to Edward and Kathleen (Grady) Dilley. Nancy spent her childhood and school-age years in Mount Vernon, Illinois. She received her Bachelor of Music degree in music education from Illinois State University, and later a Masters’s degree in education from Eastern Illinois University. Nancy married the love of her life, Brett Neal Gibbs, on June 21, 1975, at First United Methodist Church in Mount Vernon, Illinois.
Nancy was a beloved teacher and impacted countless elementary students for nearly 30 years in the public school districts of Bluford and District 80 schools. After her retirement from teaching, Nancy continued her passion of serving the Mount Vernon community as Parish Visitor for her church, Mount Vernon First United Methodist. You could also find her volunteering at Angels on Assignment, and directing the church choir. A few of Nancy’s greatest joys in life were traveling around the country visiting lighthouses, camping at Rend Lake with Brett and their camper, enjoying a good book, and making frequent visits to see her grandchildren. Nancy’s love and kindness transformed the lives of everyone she encountered. She brought a bounty of beauty to everything she did; with her music, her smile, and unbounded love. She had a remarkable ability to connect with people and evoke that same spirit of love in each person she knew.
Nancy is survived by her loving husband of nearly 48 years; three children, Curt Gibbs and wife, Monica of Nashville, Tennessee, Carrie Gibbs and fiancé, Korey Stover of Mount Vernon, Illinois, Scott Gibbs and wife, Allie of Murray, Kentucky; five grandchildren, Cypress Hodges, Ethan Stover, Nora Gibbs, Quinn Gibbs, and Harrison Gibbs; mother, Kathleen Dilley of Mount Vernon, Illinois; and sister, Carol Dilley Jaudes of Maplewood, New Jersey.
Nancy was preceded in death by her father, Edward Dilley and brother, Mark Dilley.
A Visitation will be held Friday, February 10, 2023, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at First United Methodist Church in Mount Vernon, Illinois. A Celebration of Life Service will begin at 3:00 pm with Reverend Victor Long officiating. Memorials may be made in Nancy’s honor to Angels on Assignment. Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.
