Norman Jean Gibson </MCC HEAD>

Story last updated at 8:59 PM on Thursday, May 14, 2009

Norman Jean Gibson

Feb. 14, 1969-May 9, 2009

Sterling resident Norma Jean "Tootie" Gibson, 40, died Saturday, May 9, 2009, from cancer at the Heritage Place in Soldotna.

A celebration of Tootie's life will be held from 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, May 16, 2009, at the Sterling Senior Center, Mile 82.5 Sterling Highway in Sterling. Private graveside services will be held at the Spruce Grove Memorial Park in Kasilof. Pallbearers will be Daniel, David and Donald Dobson, Jesse Gibson, Josh Freel and Dave Jones.

Norman Jean Gibson

Ms. Gibson was born Feb. 14, 1969, to Eldon Earl Gibson Sr. and Nancy Kay Littleton at the Humana Hospital Alaska in Anchorage. She attended Romig Junior High School in Anchorage. Ms. Gibson lived in Wasilla, Seward and Kalama, Wash. She moved to Montpelier, Idaho, in 2006 and had worked as a realtor at Vista Realty in Garden City, Utah, until she moved back to Alaska, settling in Sterling in 2007. She worked for Alaska Cab as a cab driver from September 2007 until her health failed in October of 2008. She adopted numerous wayward teens under her wing and helped to guide them through trials and tribulations. Ms. Gibson enjoyed watching nature's precious gifts, wild life, growing flowers, gardening, boating, fishing and hanging out with family and friends.

"Tootie had a big heart that was open to help people. When she loved, she loved fierce and was loved fierce in return. Tootie liked camping, long walks and sunny days. She was a free spirit with a gypsy's soul. Though she has moved on, she will always live in our hearts. Tootie is free now. She can scale the highest mountain and swim the deepest sea. She will be loved and missed forever and continues to live on through her children," wrote the family.

Tootie was preceded in death by her mother and father; and brother, Paul Mathew Gibson.

She is survived by her sons, Daniel Joseph Dobson and David Darryel Dobson Jr., both of Sterling; daughter Bonni Jean Dobson of Sterling; brothers Jesse A. Gibson of Homer, Eldon Earl Gibson Jr. of Phoenix and Danny Earl Gibson of Illinois; sister and brother in-law, Nancy Lee Belle and William Ross of Soldotna; sister Sherrie Kay Dobson of Sterling and Nome; former husband David Dobson Sr. of Sterling; brother in-laws, Larry, Donald Dale and Curtis Dobson, all of Sterling; nephew Donald Dee Dobson of Kenai; nieces Jenipher Kay and Phellisha "JBJ" Dobson, both of Sterling, and Donna Darlean Edmunds of Kenai.