Mattie Florence Gibbons, 84, a resident of Cape Coral, FL since 2023, formerly of Deland, FL, Walden, NY, and Narrowsburg, NY passed away Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Orlando, FL. She was born June 26, 1940, in Montgomery, NY to George and Ella Puff Ruger. She graduated from Montgomery High School in 1958.
Mattie was an athlete and a very energetic worker, spending much of her work years in the service industry as a bartender, waitress, and cook. Her lifetime dream was to own her own establishment and that dream came true in 1976 when Mattie and her husband Tom became the proprietors of The Trail Inn in Campbell Hall, NY.
Mattie lived a life full of love, laughter, generosity, and endless spirit; she loved babies (had to hold every infant she saw) and could always be counted on to support her friends, family, and community. You could walk in a room and know she was there without seeing her because you would hear her distinctive laugh. Mattie spent her youth sharing adventures with her best friend, Kathy Sudol Birch, and her oldest brother’s children, who have always been more like siblings to her. Her summers were spent picking huckleberries at Sam’s Point in the Shawangunk Mountains, and Sam’s Point is where (as a teen) she met her future husband, Tom.
Mattie’s smile, sense of humor and joy were endless. She offered her home as a safe haven to many and always had another seat at the table. She was a member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church; a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Auxiliary, AmVets Post 13, and Moose Lodge 1126 and diligently volunteered (usually in the kitchen) to support their causes. Mattie battled Alzheimer’s Disease for the last eight years of her life, which sadly, limited her community involvement and volunteering. As her disease progressed, she formed a friendship with a wonderful companion, Patty Madocks, who provided her with company and assistance during her declining years.
Mattie is survived by her huge family: loving children, Deborah Hansen (Jon) of Cape Coral, FL, Thomas M. Gibbons, Jr. of Kingsland, GA, and Linda Gibbons (Craig O’Banks) of Maybrook, NY; sister, Arlene Riner of Niceville, FL; brother, William Ruger of Montgomery, NY; sisters-in law: Beverly Strack of New Windsor, NY, Patricia Rogers (Forest) of Oak Ridge, NJ, brothers-in-law: Michael Gibbons (LuAnn) of West Milford, NJ and Donald Gibbons (Cindy) of Pleasant Hill, CA; as well as eleven grandchildren: Keri Mendrzycki (William) of Warwick, NY, Tammy Rhinehart (Gabriel Small) of Walden, NY, Ali Bachowski (Alexander) of Garden City, NY, Shannan Vasquez (Roberto) of Yorkville, NY, Amber Gibbons (Daniel Desseauve) of Barryville, NY, Thomas “Alex” Gibbons of Kingsland, GA, Brandon Gibbons of Kingsland, GA, Kaleigh Goerner (Noah) of New Hartford, NY, William Gibbons of New Hartford, NY, Briona McTarsney of Montgomery, NY, and Anthony O’Banks of Maybrook, NY; 19 great grandchildren: Kader Price, Caelinn Armbruster, Justin Armbruster, Collin Rhinehart, Morgan Mendrzycki, Dempsey Mendrzyski, Devon Mendrzycki, Rylee Mendrzycki, Gavin Mendrzycki, Avery Mendrzycki, Gianna Anaya, Roberto Vasquez Jr., Arianna Conway, Michael Conway, Jake Graham, Grace Desseauve, Jordan Gibbons, Maverick Gibbons and Annabel Bachowski; twelve nieces: Carol Wengelski, Elizabeth Conroy, Margaret Abelli, Sharon Lee Owen, Jeanne Panetta, Debi Frocks, Donna Mason, Lynn Chormanski, Brenda Duff, Lori Glander, Eileen Sorokach and Heather Vicidomini; eight nephews: George W. Ruger, Leroy Bacon, Edward Bacon, George Bacon, Frank DeGeorge, William Ruger, Christopher Gibbons and Ryan Gibbons and many great-nieces and great-nephews.
Mattie was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband, Thomas M. Gibbons, Sr., brothers: George H. Ruger, Jr. and Franklin D. Ruger, sisters: Jean Mae Forster and Helen Behrens, daughter-in-law, Suzanne Kelly Gibbons, sisters-in-law, Linda Halstead Ruger and Beatrice Monahan Ruger, brothers-in-law: Alexander Gibbons, Dennis Gibbons, James Gibbons, John Behrens and Vernon Riner; nieces: Virginia “Ginger” Henry, Marlene Bacon Henry and Donna Rogers; nephews: David F. Arthurs, Alexander J. Gibbons, and Zachary M. Gibbons; great-nephew George W. Ruger, Jr. and great-nieces: Rachelle Owen, Jeanne-Marie Panetta and Kimberly Morgan.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, PO Box 708, Walden, NY 12586.
A Memorial Mass for Mattie will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 24, 2024 at St Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 15 Walnut St, Walden, NY 12586.
Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, FL has been entrusted with the arrangements for her final care.