Marian Dean Newman Gibbons
(1921 - 2010)
(1921 - 2010)
She was born in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and lived in Wisconsin and Arizona. A brief stay in Hollywood in 1949 convinced her that this was the town she wanted to live in, but her husband Jim's business took them back to the Midwest. Marian vowed if she ever had the chance to come back, she would. That chance came in the late 1970's and Marian came to Los Angeles and worked as a publicist with her daughter, Jane, an anchor for KNBC. The 1970's appearance of the town she had worked so hard to return to inspired her with Christy Johnson McAvoy, Frances Offenhauser McKeal, Mildred Heredeen and Susan Peterson St. Francis to start Hollywood Heritage, Inc. Through the inspiration and hard work of these founders, Hollywood Heritage became the success story it is today.
A memorial is planned and we will post that information as soon as it is available. She will be interred at Hollywood Forever in Hollywood.
Janet L. Hoffmann
Blondie House
WBSF Ranch Operations
411 North Hollywood Way
Burbank, CA 91505
818-977-5233
818-977-2750 FAX
http://www.hollywoodheritage.org/
Marian Gibbons will continue to be a big part of Hollywood forever. So much can be written about who she was, what motivated her, and what made her heart sing. She made a difference in my life and made a difference in the world. She loved Hollywood and she gave it her all to preserve the history of Hollywood. As she told me many times. "There is only one Hollywood! It makes sense to save it!" She was way ahead of her time and she will be remembered forever. You did a wonderful job while you were here. It was an honor to know Marian. I am very blessed to call her my friend, my mentor, my inspiration. You will surely be missed but never forgotten!
ReplyDeleteI met Marian shortly after moving to Los Angeles, in a comedy improv class on the lot @ CBS Studio Center almost 10 years ago. We became friends immediately. Her charisma, charm and class remains unmatched. Her ability to say what needed to be said, in a creative and straightforward way, is perhaps what resonates most with me. We came to find out that her husband and my grandfather graduated from the same class at the same high school in Cleveland so many years ago. That was one of many interesting "coincidences." She taught me the beauty of keeping history in tact and having no shame in saying what needed to be said. She was a friend, grandmother and co-star to me. I lovingly remember so many meaningful conversations, gestures and adventures. I love Marian and miss her very much. She deserves a star on the Walk of Fame and I hope she gets it. If not, I will lead the campaign.
ReplyDeleteI was proud to be a friend of Marian Gibbons. As a leader she taught me that one had to be able to balance history and humanity and helped me to learn when to do so. Her irrepressible good humor served her well and guided her through difficult times. The only dedication greater than that of her love of Hollywood and its history was her love and dedication to her family, which knew no bounds. Hollywood has lost one of its greatest friends and supporters, but she has left behind a legion of preservationists and historians who look to her example and who will continue her work not only because it needs to be done, but also to honor her memory.
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