Ellen Rita Gibbons

Portsmouth, RI ? Ellen ?Ella? R. Gibbons, 92, of 125 Quaker Hill Lane, Portsmouth, RI, formerly of Perry Street, Newport, died Sunday, May 28, 2006 at Forest Farm Health Care Center, Middletown, RI. Born in Fall River, MA on February 16, 1914, she was the daughter of the late John and Anna Donovan Gibbons.Ms. Gibbons worked as a clerk typist for the Naval Hospital in Newport for 30 years. Outside of work she was a faithful member of St. Marys Catholic Church in Newport. She volunteered for many years in the Rectory of the church and was a member of the Womens Guild. She also volunteered in the Newport Hospital Gift Shop. Ella enjoyed painting and was a longtime member of the Newport Art Association. She also enjoyed other artistic pursuits like knitting, needlepoint and crochet. In addition to her volunteer time, she also donated frequently to many different charities, always looking to help others. As the eldest daughter in a family of ten, she spent much of her life caring for her family. She is survived by her sister Louise Cranshaw of Mabank, TX , and several nieces and nephews, including, Mary Anne Sullivan of Portsmouth, RI, Edward ?Ted? John Jurista of Lindenhurst, IL, Nancy Ellen Ardito of Portsmouth, RI, Janet Marie Jurista-Ingram of Lowell, MA, Eileen Louise Augustus of Tyngsboro, MA, and Alan Peter Jurista of Brockton, MA. She was preceded in death by her brothers Edward Gibbons, John Gibbons and Charles Gibbons, and her sisters Mary Jurista, Catherine Foy, Ruth Anderson, Jean Lockhart, and Ann Hartman. Her funeral will be held on Wednesday, May 31, at 8:00a.m. from the Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:00a.m. in St. Marys Church, Spring Street, Newport.Calling hours will be held Tuesday, May 30 from 5-8 p.m. in the Connors Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to St. Marys Church, Spring Street, Newport, RI 02840.