Vera Converse Gibbons passed away peacefully on June 11, 2023, just 4 months shy of her 90th birthday. She was surrounded by her five children at her home in Mattapoisett, MA.
The daughter of Rose Bullock Converse and Roger Wolcott Converse, Vera grew up in Brookline, MA, and spent summers in Marion.
She attended The Park School in Brookline, The Winsor School, St. Timothy’s School and Smith College (Class of 1955).
In 1959, she married John Dennis Gibbons, a former sea captain and real estate developer.
Together, they raised a family and managed real estate properties.
When Vera turned 50, she took up windsurfing. She became a certified Mistral instructor, ran a windsurfing school and initiated the first Buzzards Bay Crossing.
Vera traveled all over the world pursuing this passion, making friends everywhere she went.
Celebrating her Halloween birthday and riding in her husband’s antique trucks in 4th of July parades were two of her favorite things to do.
She also enjoyed swimming laps, hosting clambakes, reading to her grandchildren, doing NYT crossword puzzles and Sunday’s “Spelling Bee”, and playing BINGO.
Up for adventure, Vera was game for anything, but was happiest when she was with her family.
She lived a long and full life and will be missed by all.
Vera was predeceased by her husband John Gibbons, and her three brothers Roger Converse, Chandler Converse and Costello Converse.
Survivors include her two sons: John Dennis Gibbons, Jr. (Colleen) of Westfield, NJ and Roger Converse Gibbons of Mattapoisett; 3 daughters: Tina Roberts (Joel Berman), of Palm Beach, FL; Joanella Cannell (Jim), of Mattapoisett; and Vera Bullock Gibbons of Palm Beach, FL; 2 sisters: Rose Morgan of Wenham, MA and Christina Jackson (Patrick), of Yarmouth, Maine; 8 grandchildren: Ellen, Nina, Sydney, Josephine, Alex, Margo, Jack and Meade; 3 great-grandchildren: Charlotte, Emilia and Henry.
A celebration of life will be held Sunday, July 16th, 3 pm, at St. Gabriel’s in Marion. Arrangements were made with Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd. Mattapoisett. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to The Mattapoisett Police Department, P.O. Box 436, Mattapoisett, MA 02739.
My deepest sympathies go to Vera’s family and especially to Jack because it was he that I babysat for when he was
a very small boy. Vera was someone I wanted to be “just like” – she was enthusiasm, energy, and hope all in one. I was only 13 and 14 years old at the time, but I wanted to be just like her when I grew up!
We’d had a conversation just a few months ago, about my finding a rental back home. Oh, I loved that Vera was there for me, to listen to my dreams. I promised that when I moved back home, I would come for a visit. I am without words enough, except to say, I will miss you Vera
I just heard the news today. I apologize for my late condolences.
I love the Gibbons family and I am very sorry to hear about your mother passing . All my love to the Gibbons family , Beatriz Heuze