Norma Jean Gibson

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

A celebration of Tootie’s life will be held from 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday at the Sterling Senior Center, Mile 82.5 Sterling Highway. 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.

Ms. Gibson was born Feb. 14, 1969 to Eldon Earl Gibson, Sr. and Nancy Kay Littleton at Humana Hospital 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, wildlife, 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, Ariz., 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/Nome; former spouse, David Dobson Sr. of Sterling; brothers in-law, Larry, Donald Dale and Curtis Dobson all of Sterling; nephew, Donald Dee Dobson of Kenai; nieces, Jenipher Kay, Phellisha “JBJ” Dobson both of Sterling and Donna Darlean Edmunds of Kenai.

Memorial contributions may be made in Tootie’s memory to the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank, 33955 Community College Drive, Soldotna, AK 99669.

Arrangements were by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.