Aleene Gibson

Aleene Neely Gibson - April 3, 1923 - February 14, 2009

Aleene Gibson, 85, wife, teacher, artist, athlete and adventurist, died February 14, 2009.

She lived a very fulfilling and complete life. Aleene was born April 3, 1923, in Tempe, Arizona, the third of four children and was loved by her older and younger siblings for her tenacity and willfulness.

Aleene married George W. Gibson in 1948. Traveling and living abroad, together they raised four sons: George, David, Howard and Richard. George and Aleene lived in Idaho Falls for 20 years and later moved to Hailey, Idaho, where she established herself as the "cookie lady" to all the kids in their neighborhood.

Aleene loved long-distance bicycle touring and any summer's adventure usually involved a bike ride somewhere in the world. She prided herself on her three coast-to-coast rides and was recognized in 1995 as "Athlete of the Year" in the local newspaper for her athleticism.

Aleene was also an avid cross-country and downhill skiing. She participated yearly in the Boulder Mountain Tour. She loved a brisk winter day on her skis till the day she retired from the sport at age 80.

Another of Aleene's passions was watercolor. Her beautiful outdoor landscapes were a gracious gift shared with her friends. Aleene was proud to be included and published in a collection of landscapes entitled "Skyline-Landscapes of the Southeastern Idaho School" in 2006.

In 1999, Aleene married Ray {Red} Squires. Blending two families, they settled into a quiet life in Idaho Falls where she continued to paint, bake cookies and participate in the art scene as a volunteer docent at Eagle Rock Art Museum. Aleene was awarded the Annual Docent Award by the museum in 2005 for "her outstanding cookies and service." Her greatest joy was time spent with her many grand/great-grandchildren painting and baking cookies.

Aleene was preceded in death by her first husband, George, and son, Howard.

Surviving her are the following: husband, Ray Squires of Idaho Falls; sons: George Neely (Kathy) of Ketchum, Idaho; David of Jackson, Wyoming; Richard of Spirit Lake, Idaho; brother, Bob Neely of Tempe, Arizona; numerous cousins and grand and great-grandchildren.

• Coltrin Obituary

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Aleene Gibson, 85

"Cookie lady" to kids in her Hailey neighborhood, Aleene Gibson was a passionate bicycle rider and cross-country skier. She was proud of making three coast-to-coast bicycle trips and was named Idaho Mountain Express "Athlete of the Year" in 1995 for her athleticism. Aleene was a gifted watercolor painter who shared her landscapes with friends. An Idaho Falls resident in recent years, she died Feb. 14.

• Ref: Idaho Mountain Express, Jan 1, 1910

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* Ref: Idaho State Journal Nov. 4, 1974 "Among those demonstrating their talents for guests will be Aleene Gibson, block printing ..."

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• Reference: [undefined Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Immigration Cards, 1900-1965] - SmartCopy: Mar 9 2016, 14:02:04 UTC
• Reference: FamilySearch Genealogy - SmartCopy: Mar 29 2019, 23:24:09 UTC