STORY CAPTURE ROY & PAT GIBBONS

A Master of Miniatures
by
Madeleine Keroack

There are people we acknowledge more for their talents than for their personalities.  Then there are those who are acknowledged equally for both.  
In our membership is such a person — Mr. Roy Gibbons.  If you don’t recognize the name, think of an English gentleman with a strong accent, a striking head of white hair, and a warm smile that says, “I’m glad to see you!” Not a tall man but a presence you  feel just because he’s in the room.
The talent is that he is a master in creating miniatures. Roy can make teeny books out of a matchbook,, with actual pages that turn.  The cap off a toothpaste tube becomes the shade on a miniature lamp made with a straw.  The art fascinated Roy, and he gloried in showing his creations to anyone who was curious.  
The other small thing that became a huge thing in Roy’s life was stamp collecting.  The collecting started in England when Roy was just a teenager.  Something sparked an interest that existed for the rest of his life.  He was an active member of collector’s clubs and would share his extensive knowledge with novices whenever he was asked.  His son and grandson grew to share the love of the  “hunt” for that “special” stamp.
Roy’s passion for small and unique items may be best demonstrated by his passion for the pint-sized woman in his life, his wife Pat. The two met at college in North Hampton, England over 70 years ago.  Roy was studying Carpentry and Pat, Home Economics. They married soon after, had three children, and immigrated to Canada. 
Pat’s father once told her he had a premonition that she would move to Canada- — little did they know then he had foreseen her future.
Roy brought his exceptional carpentry skills to Canada and worked in that field for all his working life.
Pat worked making a home for their two sons, John and Peter who both live in the area. Barbara, their daughter resides in England. The Gibbons are proud grandparents and great grandparents of children on both continents. 
When Roy retired, time allowed for both he and Pat to become active members of the Edmonton Seniors Centre. We were lucky to have shared a celebration of their 65th wedding anniversary that was held at the centre.
The past few years Pat wasn’t able to attend often but she encouraged Roy to keep attending as he enjoyed the time spent here so much. Roy enjoyed almost any occasion that offered a chance to mingle; he loved chatting.  He was very well liked by other members and the staff at the centre. His presence is missed.
The last year has not been a time that Roy or Pat deserved…Roy developed a fast affecting Alzheimer’s and has had to live at a care centre. Pat remains in the apartment building where they have lived together for many years.  She finds it difficult after almost 70 years of marriage, accepting that Roy has to live away from her.  
Pat’s an avid reader, watches some TV and feels comfortable in her home; her sons make sure both she and their dad have everything they need. Still it isn’t always easy.  Pat knows she has to make the best of whatever life hands out and often says, “I’ll be fine. I’ll just do what I have to do.”  
 She’s a brave and very wise woman — for a miniature
photograph submitted by Debbie Mainswaring, former Special Events and Volunteeer Coordinator at Edmonton Senior Centre.