Obituary of Irene R. Gibbons

1St Woman Mayor of Caldwell & 1St Woman Kiwanian in NJ Devoted Catholic, Served the Community with Enthusiasm Irene R. Gibbons, 81 of Caldwell passed away on July 9, 2016. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Aloysius Church, 219 Bloomfield Ave., Caldwell on Friday July 15 at 10 AM. Cremation is private. A Memorial Visitation will be held in the Codey & Jones Funeral Home, 54 Roseland Ave. Caldwell on Thursday July 14 from 5-8 PM. To extend a condolence or share a memory, please visit www.codeyjonesfh.com. Born in Ridgewood, NY, Mrs. Gibbons was a Caldwell resident for 50 years. A history teacher throughout her early years, Irene spearheaded the Women Help Yourselves Project in 1979, which strengthened women in need and placed them into the workforce. This began twenty years of service to Essex County College, were she was instrumental in developing the West Essex Campus in West Caldwell, culminating in her becoming Dean of Students until her retirement in 1999. A woman ahead of her time, Irene served as a Caldwell Councilwoman for nine years before becoming the first female mayor of Caldwell from 1991-1994. Throughout her illustrious life, the accomplishment she was most proud of was becoming the first woman in the Kiwanis Club of Caldwell- West Essex in 1986, an organization she always held near to her heart. Another part of her life that was close to her heart was President Grover Cleveland's Birthplace where she was a founding member of the memorial association, on the board of trustees, and was one of the most knowledgeable docents. Irene was also a member of the Caldwell Women's Club and University Women of West Essex. She was also a faithful member of St. Aloysius Church. The daughter of the late Ernst Stiene and Magdalena (nee Fink), Irene was predeceased by her beloved husband, Patrick V. Gibbons. She is survived by her loving daughters Carol Gibbons Dunham and her husband Geoffrey and Cathy Gibbons Mostek and her husband Thomas; and dear grandchildren Olivia, Paul, Brendan, Gregory and Sebastian. She was also the sister of the late Richard Stiene. In lieu of flowers, donations in Irene's memory may be made to the Kiwanis Club of Caldwell - West Essex, PO Box 447 Caldwell, NJ 07006; or to the Grover Cleveland Birthplace Memorial Association, 207 Bloomfield Ave., Caldwell.