Gretchen Gibbs
9/27/2018
Gretchen Gibbs died on September 27, 2018, aged 77, after a long battle with cancer. Born in Iowa, on September 24, 1941 to parents Herbert and Lorna Gibbs. She grew up in Massachusetts and spent the last 45 years of her life in Warwick. She received a B.A. in psychology from Brandeis University summa cum laude and an M.A. and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Harvard University.
She spent most of her career as a Professor of Psychology at Fairleigh Dickinson University, teaching a variety of courses within several programs, especially in the Ph.D. Program in Clinical Psychology. She conducted research, primarily on trauma, and published three edited books, over 30 chapters and articles, mentored more than 60 dissertations and presented more than 100 papers at professional conferences. She maintained a clinical practice through her professional life, and was a psychological consultant for many years at Alternatives to Domestic Violence in Hackensack, NJ. At one time or another, she held every administrative position open to her at FDU: Chair of the department; Director of the Center for Psychological Studies; Director of the Ph.D. Program in Clinical Psychology; Dean of the College of Liberal Arts; and Provost of the University. She received the Distinguished Service Award from the University.
She helped start the Women's Studies concentration at FDU and taught it for many years. She consulted to legal firms, testifying about the impact of environmental exposure to toxins on psychological functioning. After retirement, she turned to writing and published two novels about her ancestors, set during the colonial settlement and the Massachusetts witch trials.
Gretchen was an avid tennis player. She loved all the Mets: the baseball team, the opera, and the museum. She was active in a number of local organizations, including Orange Environment and the Warwick Democratic Committee. She leaves her dear sister Cindy and brother Chris, three nieces, two nephews, several great-nieces and nephews, as well as many friends who loved her.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Warwick Library, 1 McFarland Drive, Warwick, NY 10990.
There will be a memorial service on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at 3:00 p.m at the Mulder Chapel at the Warwick Center, 62 Warwick Center Road, Warwick, NY 10990
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