Obituary of Elizabeth Ann Gribbon

Elizabeth Ann "Betty" Gribbon, 75, of Manalapan Township died April 28, 2009 at Raritan Bay Medical Center, Old Bridge Township. Mrs. Gribbon was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. and moved to Manalapan Township in 1965, where she and her husband Hugh raised their family. She often said that moving to New Jersey was the best decision they ever made. In recent years, she lived with her son and his family in Manalapan. Mrs. Gribbon was a clerk for Manufacturers Trust Company, New York City and later was an executive secretary to the president of the Brooklyn Federal Savings and Loan until 1957. After getting married, Betty was a homemaker, working hard to raise her two children. However, her lifelong dream was to become a nurse. Encouraged by her husband and family, she set out as an adult student to fulfill the dream. Betty entered Brookdale Community College as an adult student. It was challenging managing school and home but she did it and did it well. She graduated in 1975. Her family was so very proud of her reaching her dream. She proudly displayed her graduation picture of her wearing her nursing cap for many years and was equally proud of the R.N. that she earned when she passed her state exam. She was a registered nurse at Raritan Bay Medical Center- Old Bridge Division. She made many wonderful friends during her years at the hospital and truly enjoyed the profession of nursing. She retired from the hospital in 1991. In later years, as her illness progressed and she experienced periodic hospital stays, she would always insist that she be brought back to the same hospital she loved as an employee. She commented that she was always "treated as a member of the family" even after she retired. She was a communicant of Our Lady of Mercy R.C. Church, Englishtown and was a library volunteer for the Manalapan-Englishtown Schools. Her husband, Hugh J. Gribbon, died in 2003. A daughter, Kathleen Gribbon, died in 1999. The lights of life were her three grandchildren, Lauren, Jessica and Patrick Gribbon. She enjoyed nothing more than to sit and gossip with them or rent a movie together, especially a good War movie with Patrick. She also enjoyed a trip to the Mall with the girls if she was feeling up to it. They made each other laugh frequently and had many secrets between them. She has made a strong impact on each of them that will stay with them throughout their lives. Most importantly, their care, compassion and love for her truly added years to her life. Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, Gerard F. and Nancy Gribbon, Manalapan Township; three grandchildren, Lauren, Jessica, and Patrick Gribbon. In addition, she was "Aunt Betty" to many nieces and nephews. She was particularly close to her nieces Helen Cetta and Margaret "Maggie" Gribbon. Betty was blessed with many, many friends during her lifetime. At the top of that list are Tom, Elle, Barbara and Valerie. She treasured each of you very much. Visiting hours will be held at the Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center Street, Freehold on Friday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at Our Lady of Mercy Church, Englishtown on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. followed by interment at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery, Freehold.