gibbonsfuneral

We Trusted the Gibbons With Our Emotions

Jan7

Losing a child suddenly is likely the most painful and confusing, out of the order of life event that can occur to a family. Those two emotions are but a few of so many emotions that swirl around within such a tragic circumstance. In a very short time, Theresa Shea had so many decisions to make while in a state of grief beyond the imagination.

Elmhurst is the place where her family settled, but her hometown still held a deep place in her heart. On immediate reflection, she realized Elmhurst was the hometown her beautiful son Aidan knew. Elmhurst was absolutely his hometown and the community that poured out so much support for the Shea Family. Knowing the Gibbons Family within the community made the choice simple. It was in making the arrangements that Theresa fully realized she was where she needed to be. Her requests for some nontraditional choices was met with complete acceptance and carried out. As Theresa points out, “Marya Gibbons made us understand that what we wanted for our boy was without question the absolutely right thing to do”. And then she said, “we don’t need to talk about it anymore. This is what you want; this is what we’re doing”. Theresa described that as a real gift. Marya described that as a family taking care of a family the way we’re supposed to.

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You’re invited to participate in a beautiful Holiday Tradition in Remembrance of Children who left us too soon

Nov25

The West Suburban Chapter of “The Compassionate Friends will host their 23rd annual candle lighting program on Sunday, December 8th. The program includes music, readings, a photo slide show of our children, and sharing time. A social hour will follow; coffee and soda will be provided. Click on this link for more details.

The Gibbons Family has appreciated The Compassionate Friends commitment to offering comfort to families and friends who have experienced the most difficult kind of loss, a child.

The program will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. at
Elmhurst Presbyterian Church – Calvin Hall (enter from rear parking lot)
367 S. Spring Road (SE corner of St. Charles and Spring Roads)
Elmhurst 60126

The Aidan Shea Foundation continues its mission honoring a special 10 year old boy.

Nov13

Theresa Shea is a very special mother. Her 10 year old son Aidan, experienced a fatal arteriovenous malformation (AVM), similar to an aneurism which burst in his brain stem. In the course of only 5 days a very healthy and happy little boy had passed away. The suddenness of this tragic circumstance was devastating to the Shea Family and the entire community in Elmhurst who knew this family so well. There is no explaining how this wonderful little boy, and this wonderful family could experience such an excruciatingly painful life event. Among the miraculous things that can occur, Theresa became familiar with Lurie Children’s Hospital and Specialists there who devote themselves to children and their care every day. Despite their own terrible loss, the Sheas were witness to amazing medical professionals performing amazing treatments for children in their care.

Making arrangements for a child is as difficult as anyone can imagine. Marya Gibbons, knowing the Shea Family and the loving generosity of the Elmhurst Community encouraged Theresa Shea to choose a place that meant something important to the family so families who wanted to support Aidan had a place to direct their generosity. By the end of 2018, over $40,000 has been raised by Aidan’s foundation and an annual event continues to add to that generosity.

In honor of their love for their beautiful son, the Sheas made the decision to help others. The Aidan Shea Foundation was established to support Project IGNITE, run by Dr. Marcelo Malakooti, whom the Sheas had met through their experience. :

www.aidansheafoundation.org (Please visit to receive details about their upcoming event Saturday, November 23, 2019.

Thanks to the generous support of the Aidan Shea Foundation. We in the IGNITE Innovation program in the PICU at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago have been able to build and grow innovative solutions for our special patients and families whom we serve. The partnership of the Foundation and efforts of the Shea family to assist us in searching for new, creative ways to enhance our care delivery, from virtual reality programs to preserving life-saving resources, has been integral to our development and preservation of our Mission.

Marcelo Malakooti, MD

The Gibbons were so reassuring.

Sep18

When the Colleen Manion’s Family lost their father, it was very difficult for the family. It was the first time they had to cope with funeral planning in their immediate family. Comforting Colleen’s mom and helping her during the process was very important. “Marya helped us and let us know exactly what we needed to do” is how Colleen describes the planning process.

When the visitation was scheduled, Marya Gibbons made sure the family had some intimate time to themselves for an hour and a half beforehand. “We needed that time for my mother and for all of us. It was special time, and comforting to be able to spend these moments with my dad”.

“Every family has different needs and desires and we’re here to accommodate those in the best way we can. Whatever we can do, we will do”, is how Marya Gibbons frames it. In the case of the Manion Family, it’s precisely what they needed and precisely what happened.

To reach out to the Gibbons Family:

Gibbons Funeral, Elmhurst: Funeral Services that Fall into Place

Jul17

“I was checking around. When I talked to Marya, it just clicked.”

Very proud Veteran and Past Commander with the American Legion, Dante Laudati is a very deliberate person. Having been the care provider for his beloved wife, Dante was aware well in advance that he’d be requiring funeral services, and it was important to him that he chose the right place. He went to a number of places in the Elmhurst area, and decided to make a visit to Gibbons in Elmhurst and meeting Marya Gibbons. As Dante says, “It just clicked”. This was the place. “She was professional, kind, and helpful. She handled everything. All I had to do was show up.”

Dante also put his DD-214 Certificate on file with Gibbons so he can choose a time in the future to make pre-arrangements for himself. As a proud veteran, American Legion member and Past Commander, he proudly displays his pins on his cap. Veterans have earned and are entitled to services for their sacrifice to our nation. Marya and Tucker Gibbons ensure that every Veteran is aware of and receives all of those services and benefits. In Dante’s case, having the services recorded and documented in a Pre-planning session ensures that all of those details will be taken care of in advance. For Marya’s part, she loved working with Mr. Laudati, and listening to his stories about his wife, his family, his service to the country and to the American Legion “He is such an amazing man, matter of fact mixed in with great feeling for his family and his service. Couldn’t help but love the guy right away”, that’s her way of saying it clicked for her too!

To reach out to the Gibbons Family:

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If you’ve been to Gibbons, you’ve likely met Cookie!

May15

It’s hard for us to come up with a title for Cookie here at Gibbons Funeral Home. Cookie has been here so long, we really feel like we couldn’t operate without him. He handles so many of the important duties here at the funeral home from keeping our environment beautiful, our cars and equipment in tip top condition, running back and forth to get certificates and anything else we need to stay on schedule. He’s kind of our “everything person” these days.

Cookie is part of the Gibbons Family. And the Gibbons Family is part of Cookie’s family. The children have all grown up together, and Cookie is as familiar a sight around the funeral home as anyone else. He knows all of the neighbors, commuters, and people milling about in busy downtown Elmhurst, and they all know him. It’s not at all uncommon to hear people screaming hello to Cookie from down the street when he’s stopping the traffic to get the processions started or waving to every person who passes by. The families at the funeral home know him to be the wonderful man who helps them bring their personal memories or food and bakery items in. He’s there no matter what they need. Tall stool? Call Cookie, he’s got it.

Cookie calls Marya and Tucker Gibbons “the best”. They use the same term for him. Most lovable guy there is. Come and see Cookie.

To reach out to the Gibbons Family: