Katherine Elizabeth Hibbs, loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and sister, passed away on February 16, 2024, in Jacksonville, Florida after a “life well lived.” Kay, as she was affectionately called by her family and friends, was born on July 24, 1928, in Boston, MA. After completing high school in 1946, she attended and graduated from Fisher College in Somerville, MA.
Katherine’s marriage of 63 years to Captain Alvin S. Hibbs, USN on May 22, 1949, began her life as a dedicated Navy wife of 31 years. Their tours of duty took Katherine to Florida, California, Massachusetts, England and Virginia. During Al’s numerous solo deployments, Kay proved to be a most caring and tireless mother in raising her four children. She also worked for the Virginia Beach School Board.
Following Al’s retirement, she and Al moved to Nags Head, NC in 1980 until the passing of Al on January 11, 2013. Katherine then moved to her newly adopted state of Florida where her daughters Ivy and Sheryl resided. She spent many cherished moments with her grandchildren. She was a huge comfort when her grandchildren Lisa and Matthew passed away.
Katherine is survived by her daughters: Ivy Oliasami and her husband Jeffrey of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL and Sheryl Boyle and her husband Gary of Valrico, FL; her son Marc Hibbs of Kill Devil Hills, NC and Kevin Hibbs of Antelope, CA; her grandchildren Susan Oliasami, Father Ryan Boyle, Savannah Hibbs, Brandon Hibbs; and her great granddaughter Layla Lizer; her sisters Jean Tammaro, Theresa Foley, Margaret Eliseo; and her brother Leo Barrett.
Sadly, in addition to her husband of 63 years, Al, she is predeceased by her parents, Gerald and Marion Barrett; her grandchildren Lisa Oliasami and Matthew Boyle; her sister Elizabeth Barrett and Hilda McCarthy, and her brother Gerald Barrett.
Kay’s interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date. Memorial donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital which Kay supported throughout her life. Condolences to the family may be expressed via www.pontevedravalley.com.
“Seeing death as the end of life is like seeing the horizon as the end of the ocean.”
