Caldwell Native Met Eleanor Roosevelt, Blazed Trails, Died At 100

CALDWELL, NJ — Dorothy Grenwood Gibbons did so much in her 100 years of life that her obituary is almost breathtaking to read.

Gibbons, who grew up in Caldwell and then lived there on and off over the years, passed away last week at 100. A memorial service will be held Sept. 9.

According to her obituary, Gibbons passed away on Aug. 21, "having made the most of the days she was allotted on this earth."

Raised in Caldwell, Gibbons was the oldest of four children.

While in high school in the 1930s, she was chosen to attend a Junior Red Cross conference in Washington, D.C., according to her obituary. Eleanor Roosevelt was among the speakers.

Gibbons "was thrilled to meet her in the elevator, as the First Lady was then and always would be one of her heroes," the obituary says. "She shared Mrs. Roosevelt's belief that women have a crucial role to play in the community and the world beyond the important task of birthing and rearing children."

In New York City in 1942, she says a recruiting poster for the WAVES, the newly-created female auxiliary of the U.S. Navy.

She was told to report to a new naval airfield at Burns Flat in Oklahoma, which was still suffering the effects of the Dust Bowl, the obituary noted.

She remembered that time in a 2019 story in Tulsa World called, "Jersey Girl Discovered Oklahoma Through Navy WAVES."

She returned to Caldwell after the war. In 1946 she married Richard "Dick" Gibbons, who had returned to Caldwell after serving in North Africa and Italy during the war. They had a son in 1949.

Dick Gibbons opened a new office in Tulsa in 1950. The family moved and she gave birth to twins in 1951.

"Though Dorothy categorized herself as a homemaker on the Census forms and was a great wife and mother, she believed firmly (with Mrs. Roosevelt) that it was her duty and privilege to serve the community beyond just her family," her obituary notes.

She was not religious, but joined the church, serving as a Sunday School teacher and leading Bible studies. She was the first female Clerk of Session at the church, the obit notes.

And Then Risked Jail Time

"In the early 1960's, when Tulsa was still racially segregated, Dorothy served on the board of
Dunbar Day Nursery in north Tulsa, the first preschool in a predominantly Black neighborhood," notes the obituary. "One day her children came home from school to find their dad home and their mom gone. When they asked where she was, he replied grimly, 'She"s probably in jail right now.' Dorothy had joined Black friends from the board in a sit-in at a lunch counter in Tulsa to demand that it be integrated."

As a result, "The sit-in was successful in achieving its goal, and she was not arrested. She later told her children that she was scared to death to disobey the law, but her faith and conscience told her, 'Sometimes there's a higher law.' "

Gibbons served as a Girl Scout leader and in school programs. Her family was a host family for two students from Europe, and kept in touch with them throughout their lives.

She also worked for voter registration and education efforts as part of the League of Women Voters.

Dorothy wrote letters, played tennis, traveled and always expanded her group of friends. She was "delighted to celebrate her 100th birthday party earlier this year with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends in attendance," says the obituary.

Instead of flowers, donations can be sent to the Gilcrease Museum, Ghost Ranch, or the League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Tulsa.

A service of remembrance will be held in Tulsa on Friday, Sept. 2. Find out more about Gibbons' life and service here.