Elaine Gibson

"In search of my mother's garden, I found my own." Alice Walker.

Elaine Gibson, of Boston, MA, passed away on November 17, 2020, after a brief illness. 

Elaine was born in Boston’s South End on June 24, 1954, daughter of Mary Ellen Hill Gibson of Florida, and the late Mose Gibson of Louisiana. She was the youngest of four siblings, Stanley Gibson of Easton, MA, Carolyn Gibson of Mattapan, MA, and the late Imogene Gibson Karawa. Elaine was a lifelong, proud Boston resident, and lived in the neighborhoods of the South End, Dorchester, and Mattapan.

A recognized authority in the field of education, she attended Commonwealth School for high school where she first discovered her passion for teaching while working at the Trotter School as part of an education class. While attending Commonwealth, she met some of her closest and life-long friends, who call themselves the Little Old Ladies Club. Elaine went on to attend Emmanuel College where she received her Bachelor of Arts and later attended Suffolk University where she received a Master of Education. She was a proud Golden Life Member of the Boston alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta sorority and served on many committees. Elaine was also a Board Member of Commonwealth School.

Elaine dedicated her life to education and inspiring youth to achieve their dreams through dedicated hard work. She served as a Boston Public Schools special education teacher and administrator for over 30 years before she retired as the Principal of the Lucy Stone Elementary School. She showed love to her students and was open to all parents. Many remember the partnerships she created for her students to address their social needs and to continue their learning inside and outside of the classroom. 

Her daughters, Robyn and Reann, fondly remember times when they would accompany her around the holidays to deliver gifts to students who might not otherwise have any, and how she had an inventory of uniforms in her office to give to students who needed them. Within the schools where she worked, she created intentional and collaborative spaces for families and community members to connect, such as through school potlucks. She was a revolutionary, go-getter, who through all the obstacles and barriers was able to achieve her goals and spread knowledge and kindness to everyone she encountered. 

Elaine loved organizing family trips and gatherings, and watching movies and television with family. She cherished rituals and traditions, and took joy from maintaining these traditions through the years. Elaine was a loving friend who gave heartfelt advice and was a listening ear when needed. She was a resource who had insight on any situation and always knew exactly who to call. She was a consistent and fierce advocate for those she deeply cared about. Elaine had a special story for every situation, and enjoyed telling and retelling her favorites. 

Elaine Gibson is survived by her mother, Mary Ellen Hill Gibson, brother Stanley Gibson, sister Carolyn Gibson, daughters Robyn and Reann Gibson, members of the Little Old Ladies Club - Klare, Judy, Barbara, and Carolyn - and a large and loving network of nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family and friends, and hundreds of students and families whose lives she touched. 

A virtual memorial service will be held on Friday, December 4, 2020, at 12:00pm. 

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Elaine's memory to the Commonwealth School, 151 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02116. Please be sure to state in the letter accompanying the check that it should be restricted to financial aid for Black students.

https://www.commschool.org/support/support-commonwealth/make-a-gift