Obituary of Katia Jacqueline Gibbs

Katia Jacqueline (Tirado) Gibbs passed away on 10 September at Fairfax Inova Hospital surrounded by her family. She was the beloved wife of Robert (Rob) Gibbs for 30 years. Jackie was born in Quito, Ecuador, in 1964 to Luis and Marina Tirado. Jackie has lived in North Arlington for the past 50 years, graduating from Yorktown High School. Jackie was devoted to children, staying home with her own children and grandchildren. In recent years, she returned to teaching, working most recently at Resurrection Lutheran Preschool. Jackie’s lifelong love of animals led to her rescue of numerous cats, dogs, and assorted feathered and furred friends. She was a fixture in the neighborhood walking her dogs and inherited her parents’ love of gardening and the outdoors, particularly the beach. Jackie is survived by her husband Robert and children and their families: Joshua and Jessica and their two sons; Brittany and Michael and their daughter and son; and son Allen Michael, a Corporal in the Marines. She is also survived by her father Luis, sister Mary and brother-in-law Russell, and brother Dario and sister-in-law Aly. She will also be dearly missed by fourteen nieces and nephews and nine great nieces and nephews. Jackie’s loving spirit also drew numerous friends into the heart of her family. She is preceded in death by her mother Marina. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, 16 September, at 1 pm at St. James Church (103 N. Spring Street, Falls Church, VA 22046). Private interment will follow. The family will receive visitors on Saturday, 14 September, from 3 to 7 pmat the Knights of Columbus (5115 Little Falls Road, Arlington, VA 22207). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Resurrection Lutheran Weekday Preschool (6201 Washington Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22205) to carry on her love for the school, her students, and their families.