Donna L. Gibson

Dundee: Donna L. Gibson, age 81, of Dundee, NY passed away Thursday July 4, 2024 at The Homestead, in Penn Yan, N.Y.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm-8:00 pm. on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at the Baird Funeral Home 36 Water St. Dundee; where her funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 11 at 1:00 pm. Burial will be private in Hillside Cemetery, Dundee.

Donna was born in Union County, Pennsylvania on October 27 1942, a daughter of the late Donald and Blanche (Nogle) Tillinghast. Donna spent the majority of her childhood in Interlaken, New York. She graduated from Interlaken High School, where she received a New York State Regents Scholarship. She went on to obtain her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Keuka College and Master's degree in Remedial Reading from Elmira College. Possessing an incredible thirst for knowledge and unstoppable ambition, she also held certificates in school administration, driver education, and computer science.

A woman of unwavering strength, Donna impacted countless lives as a teacher at Dundee Central School, where she broke barriers, as the first woman to serve as a negotiator for the Dundee Teachers Association. In 1991, following the death of her first husband, Lee Gibson, she took ownership of Sunrise Industries and was instrumental in shepherding the business forward. To her credit, the business remains in successful operation today, as Sunrise Insulation, under the ownership of son Tim Gibson. Following her retirement from DCS, she sold real estate from 2005 to 2015. She possessed an encyclopedic knowledge of family genealogy, local history, and she was a longtime, very active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She also greatly enjoyed time spent with her Aunt Pat Bilirakis.

She is survived by her brother Jack (Sally) Tillinghast of Ovid, five children Martin Gibson & Tim (Wendy) Gibson both of Dundee, Kelly Bateman of Canandaigua, Sheldon (Brittany) Gibson of Dundee, and Joe (Julie) Gibson of Dresden, along with 12 grandchildren, step-daughter Beth (Steve) Taylor of Dundee, two step-grandchildren, two step-great-grandchildren, extended family and friends.

In addition to her parents, Donna was preceded in death by her first husband, Lee Gibson, sisters Rita Cazalas and Sandy Ike, step-sons Jesse and Ralph Bishop, and her second husband Jack Bishop.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Daughters of the American Revolution. Donations may be made online: https://www.dar.org/giving/ways-give/donate-online.

Online condolences can be sent by visiting www.bairdfuneralhomedundee.com.