CARIBOU and FORT FAIRFIELD – Mrs. Elizabeth J. Giberson, 94, wife of the late Alfred C. Giberson Sr., died Thursday evening, Nov. 3, 2005, at a Caribou healthcare facility, with her family by her side. She was born Dec. 28, 1910, at Easton, the daughter of George W. and Amy (Smith) Merrithew. Elizabeth was a graduate of the Fort Fairfield High School, Class of 1929, after which she worked as a photographer’s assistant at Churchill Studios in Fort Fairfield. Her early years were spent on the Giberson family farm on the Strickland Road in Fort Fairfield where her husband farmed potatoes. During World War II she supported the war effort, volunteering in many ways including rolling bandages, serving as a warden during air raid drills and assisting with German prisoners of war who worked on the farm. Following her husband’s death on Aug. 13, 1950, Elizabeth worked for many years as the manager of the United Trading Stamp Store, first in Fort Fairfield and later in Caribou. Shortly after moving to Caribou in 1964, she was employed by the L.S. Hall Company, where she worked until age 75. While residing in Fort Fairfield, Mrs. Giberson attended the United Parish Church, where she was a member of the Onset Club and a volunteer for many activities. She later became a member of the Gray Memorial Methodist Church in Caribou, where she was also a member of the Jennie Lyons Circle. As a member of Gray Memorial, she supported many activities, especially bake sales where she was famous for her homemade lemon pies and was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Lunar Chapter No. 126. In addition to her parents and husband, Elizabeth was predeceased by her first child, as well as two brothers, Kenneth and Milton Merrithew; two sisters, Vera E. Libby and Dorcas M. Everett. A devoted mother and grandmother, Mrs. Giberson is survived by her loving son and daughter-in-law, Alfred C. Jr. and Mary Giberson of Presque Isle; and her beloved daughter and son-in-law, Marilla and George Cushman IV of Springfield, Va.; two grandchildren, Stephen Giberson of Topsham and Jeannie Giberson of North Yarmouth; three great-grandchildren, Ashley, Joseph and Molly. She also leaves five stepgrandchildren, Holly, Stephen, Suzanne, Christopher and George. She will also be fondly remembered by her very special nieces and nephews, who thought of her as a mother; two cousins, Anna Shaw and Louise Kearney, both of Mars Hill: a special friend, Vi (Cummings) Sirois of Caribou; as well as a sister-in-law, Josephine Merrithew of Port Orange, Fla. Friends may call 7-9 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, at the Dorsey Funeral Home, 144 Main St., Fort Fairfield where a memorial service will be held 7 p.m. by the officers and members of the Order of the Eastern Star, Lunar Chapter No. 126. A service celebrating Elizabeth’s life will be held 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 7, at the funeral home with the Rev. Anna C. Beach officiating. Friends may also call from 10 a.m. until time of service. Interment will follow at the Riverside Cemetery, Fort Fairfield. A time of fellowship will be held at the Gray Memorial Methodist Church, Prospect Street, Caribou, immediately following the interment service. Those who wish may contribute in memory of Mrs. Giberson to the Gray Memorial Methodist Church, P.O. Box 69, Caribou, 04736. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
ELIZABETH J. (MERRITHEW) GIBERSON
