Karen Elaine Gibbons

Karen Elaine Gibbons or Chibi Brown as her family nicknamed her was born on October 30, 1954 in El Paso, Texas where she attended Irvin High School and graduated with the class of 1972. She attended the University of Texas at El Paso and was selected as a freshman cheerleader and joined the Chi Omega Sorority. She graduated in 1977, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism and became an employee of KTSM Television Media as an Administrative Assistant to its owner and president. Karen left El Paso in 1978 for Houston, Texas and began working in banking and finance, where she worked for Texas Commerce Bank. In 1980 came the arrival of le Breton fou (silly Brit); as she later called him from London. They got along so well – too well. However, Clive was sent back to London six years later, but the romantic feel saw Karen in England working for American Airlines. They married on the 25th of November 1989 in England. Continuing until 1998 when New York lured them back to the USA. There they settled in Norwalk Connecticut. She became President of the Junior League of Norwalk. Cool Connecticut weather was not idyllic for a southern lady. When retirement came for Clive in 2008, they moved to Houston. Karen’s sense of community and realistic expectations of others saw her President of the Women’s Club in Houston as well as President of the Community in Florida where they had bought a Condo. She loved travel and continued to travel both domestically and internationally with Clive and friends. She loved Christmas, decorating at least 2 Christmas Trees wherever she lived. Her sense of humor attracted others, always finding the funny side to most things but serious when needed. In 2021 a Cancer diagnosis was made, and she was determined to fight, which she did without complaint or fuss. A sympathetic but realistic approach to life, this fun loving and infectious spiritual lady loved animals, especially dogs but never owned one -she liked other people’s. She was simply special to many people and irreplaceable to Clive. She leaves behind a sister, Dr. Nancy Garcia Tafoya of Las Cruces, New Mexico, her nieces Audry Tafoya, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, and Claudia Garcia Strang of Schertz, Texas, grandnieces, Adriana and Elliana Strang. She was preceded in death by her mother, Ofelia Reyes Hall in 2008, lifetime resident of El Paso, Texas and brother Randolph R. Garcia in 2018, a Purple Heart recipient and Vietnam Veteran. also of El Paso, Texas. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Karen's favorite charitable organization https://dogcopilot.org/

Karen Elaine Gibbons

October 30, 1954 - May 9, 2025