Margaret D. “Sandy” Gibbs, age 78, of 7620 Lake Bluff 19.4 Road, Gladstone, MI died unexpectedly Thursday morning April 27, 2006 at the Marquette General Hospital in Marquette, MI.

Margaret was born June 25, 1927 in Detroit, MI the daughter of Ernest and Mary (Creten) Sandstrom. Sandy was raised in Gladstone and she was a 1945 graduate of the Gladstone High School. Following graduation she was united in marriage to Jim Gibbs on November 11, 1946 at the All Saints Church in Gladstone. They spent several years overseas, spending time in Japan and 2 separate times in Germany while Jim was serving his country in the U.S. Army. When their family returned from overseas they made their residence in Escanaba where they continued to raise their seven children. Sandy was employed for many years as a Loan Officer with the Delta County Credit Union in Escanaba, she retired in 1989. They enjoyed spending their retirement years up at Round Lake during the summer months and wintered in Gulf Shores Alabama. For the past nine years they have resided in Gladstone.

Margaret was an active member of All Saints Church in Gladstone and she belonged to the Escanaba Eagles. She did volunteer work for the R.S.V.P. and she was a Reading Buddy at the Cameron Elementary School in Gladstone. Margaret loved playing cards, especially Smear, Canasta, Pinocle and Texas Hold Em. Her hobbies included reading, cross stitching and in her younger days she enjoyed playing tennis. Margaret’s family was very important to her and she treasured spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She will be sadly missed by her family.

In addition to her husband of 59 years, Jim, survivors include:

2 Sons: Jim (Pam) Gibbs Jr. of Gladstone; Tom Gibbs of Escanaba

5 Daughters: Sue (Dr. Tom) Noren of Marquette; Mary (Bill) Bandish of Eau Claire, WI ; Cathy (Tom) Pearson of Escanaba; Margie (Mark) Preston-Lyon of Gladstone; Chris (Brian) Tryan of Gladstone

11 Grandchildren: Shelly, Jenny, Scott, Julie, Amy, Sandy, Joe, Katie, Cory, Kylie and Kacie.

2 Great grandchildren: Austin and Kaden

Numerous nieces and nephews

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by: daughter, Sandy Gibbs in 1947, 2 brothers, Robert and Richard Sandstrom, 3 Sisters, Mary Alice Haglund, Catherine Richards and Alice Dickson.

Margaret’s family will receive friends on Monday from 10:00 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Mass of Christian Burial services celebrating the life of Margaret “Sandy” Gibbs will follow at 12:00 noon at the All Saints Church in Gladstone with Rev. Arnold Grambow officiating. A luncheon will follow in the All Saints Parish Hall. Burial will follow luncheon at the Gardens of Rest Cemetery in Wells. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Delta County Cancer Alliance. Envelopes will be available at the Skradski-Boyce Family Funeral Homes or at All Saints Church.