Obituary of Karen J. (DeWitte) Gibson

Webster: Karen had a broad reaching and meaningful impact on her family, friends, and community. She did this by giving generously without expecting anything in return; by seeing the good in others when they could not see it in themselves; by hosting holidays and her famous clam bake; by befriending the friendless; by building up others; by acting as the peace maker; by holding the hands of the sick and lonely; by praying daily for those in need; by opening her door to all with a hot cup of coffee; by placing relationships first; and above all else living out her faith in Jesus Christ, her proclaimed Lord and Savior. She was an extraordinary woman with endless energy, often coming alive when everyone else was ready for bed. At the age of 57, having spent the prime of her working years joyfully raising her children, Karen went back to school and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Eastern University. She got a job at a pharmaceutical company and commuted over an hour each way to establish herself as a valuable member of her corporate team. While working and commuting, she also earned her Master of Science Degree in Christian Counseling from Philadelphia Biblical University (now Cairn University), which set her up for the next and final stage of her professional life. After moving back to Webster, NY in 2006, Karen took a job as a Pastoral Care and Visitation Pastor at United Methodist Church of Webster. This was the job she trained for and it was her life’s passion. She loved her work at the church ministering to women, the bereaved, and those no longer physically able to attend church. Through her role, Karen was able to fully use her gifts and touch the lives of so many in her community. Karen passed away on January 6, 2020 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. She is survived by her three children, Andrew Gibson (Ligia), Julia Wambold (Jason), and Sarah Haines (Michael); by her brothers Douglas (Wendy) and Daniel (Trudy) DeWitte, and her sisters Christine (Brad) Campbell and Laurie (Andrew) Meloni; and by her six grandchildren – Isabella and Tomas Gibson, Harrison and Ellie Wambold, and Hannah and Kaden Haines. Friends may call 2-4, 6-8 PM Friday Jan., 10 at Willard H. Scott Funeral Home, 12 South Ave., Webster. Memorial Service 11:00 AM Saturday, Jan. 11 at the United Methodist Church of Webster, 169 E. Main St. Webster. Interment at the convenience of the family at Webster Union Cemetery. Karen’s children encourage a donation to Webster Comfort Care Home. 700 Holt Rd. Webster, NY 14580. www.webstercomfortcare.org/donations.php