Obituary of Sharon Anne Gibson

Sharon Anne Gibson, 56, of Freehold, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, July 29, 2012. She was surrounded by her loving family who rallied around her during her two-year battle with stomach cancer. Known for her strength, courage, optimism, and radiant smile, she was adored by all who knew her and left a positive impact on everyone she met. Born in Newark, Sharon was raised in Matawan and started her family in Keyport before moving to Freehold in 1992. She attended grammar school at St. Joseph's in Keyport, graduated high school from Mater Dei in Middletown in 1974, and received her Bachelor's Degree in Special Education from Jersey City State College in 1978. She was a proud stay-at-home mom for many years, during which time she raised her four children, attended school functions and athletic events, and was a member of the Parent Teacher Organizations at Joseph J. Catena School, Eisenhower Middle School, and Freehold Boro High School where her children attended. Once her children were grown, Sharon returned to her calling as a Special Education Teacher at Asbury Park Middle School where she taught and inspired students for the past 11 years and earned the prestigious Governor's Teacher of the Year Award in 2009. She was a former member of the Ladies Auxiliary at Raritan Hose #2 Keyport Fire Department. Sharon was a devoted parishioner of St. Rose of Lima R.C. Church, Freehold, where she served as a Religious Education Teacher and Eucharistic Minister for many years. In her free time, she enjoyed going to the beach, listening to country music, cheering for the NY Mets, NJ Devils, and Pittsburg Steelers, and going out for ice cream. She was predeceased by her parents, Carlton and Jane Holtslander. Sharon is survived by her beloved husband of 34 years, Joseph Gibson, and four loving children. Her daughter, Rebecca Gibson, daughter and son-in-law, Kelly & Eric Sposito, son, Thomas Gibson, and daughter Meghan Gibson were blessed to have the most incredible mother. Surviving are her brother, Robert Holtslander (Trudy), sister Dorothy Tanguay (Thomas), sister Lynne Holtslander (Sharon), and brother Brian Holtslander. She is also survived by a large extended family which includes several aunts, many brothers and sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews, including her special cutie-pie, Nicholas. Relatives and friends are invited to honor and celebrate Sharon's life by attending visitation from 4 to 8pm on Tuesday, July 31st at Freeman Funeral Home, 47 East Main Street, Freehold. A funeral mass will be held at 10am, Wednesday, August 1st at St. Rose of Lima Church, Freehold, followed by interment at Saint Joseph's Cemetery, Keyport. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center or a charity of your choice. For further information or to forward condolences to the Gibson family, please visit http://www.freemanfuneralhomes.com/.