Obituary of Jim and Keltie Gibbon
On Sunday, April 30, 2023, Keltie Catherine Gibbon aged 69, wife of James Harris Gibbon passed away at the Saint John Regional Hospital.
Kelt, as she was affectionately known, was born August 24, 1953. Her family comprised her dad, Donald Ashby Ross, mom, Mary Catherine Hinchliffe, older brother Donald Scott Ross (Joan) and an older sister, Bonnie Heather Conway (Oliver).
Keltie and Jim met at a neighbourhood party. They have both independently said that after that party, they knew they had found their forever partner. As a result, they were married on July 12, 1980. Their marriage has lasted for just shy of 43 years.
Keltie was a lifelong nature and animal lover. After graduation from high school and a year at university, Kelt began her career as a veterinary assistant. She loved this work and her passion for animals and pets was a mainstay in her life. It is only in the last few years that Keltie has not had a cat in her life. Keltie loved them all.
Keltie was special and unique. Kelt always accepted life‘s ups and downs with a positive attitude and a quick wit to keep you laughing. She was a kind and gentle individual, small in stature, but large in heart. Her lifelong friends were loved and always appreciated.
Keltie will be very sadly missed by all those she touched but in particular her loving husband Jim, her brother Scott, her sister Bonnie and her dear friend Pru. Keltie was predeceased by her Mom and Dad and three precious baby girls all born prematurely.
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The family of James Gibbon are sad to announce his death on Thursday, February 27, 2025 at the Rocmaura Nursing Home, following a prolonged illness. He was born July 1, 1949 in Saint John, the son of the late Dr. A. Douglas and Audrey (Balcom) Gibbon.
He graduated from Rothesay Collegiate School in 1968 and then attended Mount Allison University. He went on to study hotel management at Paul Smith College in New York for two years and then worked in hotel management in Toronto and Saint John. He was, it turned out, a jack of all trades and went on to study appliance repair, followed by working at this for both Sears and Hobart Canada. At that point he opened his own appliance repair company, the legendary “Gibby’s Appliance Repair”, and worked there until back injuries forced him to retire.
In 1979 he married his forever partner, Keltie Ross, and they lived happily in Rothesay and Saint John. Over the years, he and Keltie welcomed a beloved series of cats that came to live with them. Jim enjoyed gardening, and spent many hours in the New Brunswick woods, collecting bouquets of flowering moosewood (much to the delight of his mother!).
Jim was predeceased by his wife Keltie in 2023 and by their 3 infant daughters, Mary, Katelyn, and Catherine. He is survived by his sister, Charlotte Turnbull, and brothers Stephen (Candace) Gibbon and William (Caroline) Gibbon, as well as several nieces and nephews and many grand-nieces and nephews. Being a funny and sociable guy, he enjoyed a wide circle of friends, who will dearly miss him.
On behalf of Jim, the family would like to thank the staff of Rocmaura Nursing Home for their kindness and excellent care.
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Arrangements are under the care of Brenan's Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, NB (506-634-7424). A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at 11 AM from Brenan's Chapel, for both Jim and Keltie. Private interment to follow in Fernhill Cemetery. No flowers by request. Donations in their memory can be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
Online condolences may be placed at www.BrenansFH.com
