ETHEL IRENE GIBBS (SWAIL)

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ETHEL IRENE GIBBS
June 26, 1925 - December 19, 2022

Born in Winnipeg, Ethel Irene Gibbs (nee Swail) left us peacefully in Calgary after 97 years of a loving and productive life in Winnipeg, Toronto, and Calgary.
She was predeceased by her parents Watson and Irene Swail but is survived by her brother Gordon Swail. She first married Donald H. Olson in 1949 and is survived by their son Douglas Olson (wife Bobbie), and daughters Tricia Olson and Janice Brickey (husband Stephen) as well as four grandchildren: Leif Olson, Erik Olson, Max Olson, and Alyson Brickey. She also had a great-granddaughter Ruth Brickey-Hughes. Ethel married Donald G. Gibbs in 1979 and moved to Toronto adding two daughters to her family with Terry Gibbs Gordon (husband Paul) and Robyn Gibbs Roberts (husband Mike) as well as their sons Sean and Liam. She moved back to Winnipeg in 2004 and finally to Calgary in 2015.
Ethel spent many years working at Argus Industrial Supply Ltd., until she took over as President and General Manager, where she remained until 1979, when the company was sold. She was a strong-willed, determined, and successful businesswoman at a time when it was not common for women to be at the helm of a company.
An elegant woman, she loved fashion and style. Her love of dogs was well known, and she had two Shih Tzu companions for many years. The first was her mother's dog Cindy and the second was the Gibbs' Holly, who was adored.
Following her wishes, cremation has taken place and an immediate family interment will follow.
Ethel was a decades-long supporter of Doctors Without Borders, so please, in lieu of flowers, make donations at https://www.doctorswithoutborders.ca or phone 1-800-982 7903.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 21, 2023