Dr. Meta Margaretha Gibbs

Dr. Meta Margaretha Gibbs , a resident of Cheney, passed away in Marple Township, Pa. on Dec. 31, 2017, following a two-year battle with cancer at 75. In her final days she was with her entire family.

She is survived by her husband Dr. Robert Gibbs, her daughter Dr. Sarah Gibbs, son-in-law Dr. Gianluca Gallo and grandchildren Amelia Gallo and Adrian Gallo, of Media, Pa. and her daughter Elizabeth Gibbs, son-in-law Benjamin Fox and granddaughter Rainey Lynn Fox, of Copenhagen, Denmark.

Other surviving relatives include her aunt Dorothy Heise of Minden, Nev. and her sons William Heise, of Minden, Nev., Frederick Heise of Sacramento, Calif., John Heise of Wilsonville, Ore., cousins Betina Waddle of Sumner. Wash., Barbara Newton of Black Diamond, Wash. and Thomas Heimsoth of Walnut Creek, Calif.

Meta grew up in Seattle, the daughter of Nicholas and Margaretha Vincent. She graduated from Roosevelt High School, and received bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Washington. Later she earned a Ph.D. in educational leadership from Gonzaga University.

Meta and Bob have lived in Cheney since 1970 where Bob taught at Eastern Washington University. Meta taught in Federal Way, Wash., at the EWU Reid School and in Spokane School District 81. She worked in development for Zephyr, the Schools of the Catholic Diocese of Spokane and for EWU.

Meta cherished her family and friends. She loved art, literature, music, poetry and knitting with a special fondness for ballet. She enjoyed a good laugh, giving little gifts to people, and a walk in the country, especially in the North Cascades, Carson Valley Nevada and Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge.

A memorial event will be held March 28, 10 a.m.-noon in the Isabella Room on the first floor of the Davenport Hotel in Spokane.

Donations in Meta's memory in support of the Spokane String Quartet can be sent to the Spokane Chamber Music Association, P.O. Box 3741, Spokane, WA 99220. Donations to the Dr. Meta Gibbs Scholarship Fund can be sent to University of Washington, Gift Processing, 4333 Brooklyn Ave. NE, Box 359505, Seattle, WA 98195.