Jennifer Bess Gibson

Jennifer Bess (Selby) Gibson passed from this world, surrounded by close family, on Aug. 3, 2024, in Mosinee, Wis. Jennifer was born in Chillicothe, Mo., on June 30, 1952, to Mary (White) and Herb Selby. She is survived by her husband David; son Justin (his wife Lark and their children Leo and Amberle of Hillpoint, Wis.); and daughter Alexis Cole (and her child Mikaya). Jennifer is survived as well by her siblings: Rick (wife Donna [Shar] and children Taylor, Bella, and Kamren of Arcadia, Calif.); Brad (wife Judith [Rosenburg] and children Zach and Jackson of Bradbury, Calif.); and Vanessa (husband Mike [McGuigan] and children Maya, Ry, and Quinn of Ahwatukee, Ariz.).

Jennifer graduated from Maryville (Mo) High School in 1971. She continued to obtain degrees in mathematics, teaching, computer information systems, and a doctorate in computer science. She worked and taught in a variety of roles throughout her career: a high school math and chemistry teacher in Wisconsin; a math, science, and reading teacher in West Africa; a computer science instructor at the University of Wisconsin-Marathon; a systems analyst for Georgia Pacific; and, finally, a computer science professor at Mid-State Technical College. For all her retired life, Jennifer fondly recalled her teaching years and felt eternal gratitude that she'd had the opportunity to work with so many great students and wonderful Faculty.

Jennifer was our family's moral and spiritual center and, without a doubt, the most (humbly) brilliant among us. Outwardly a quiet person, Jen had an active interior dialogue. Through her readings, thoughts, and dreams, she was a lifelong seeker of truth, with an abiding faith in the ultimate perfection of people. To that end, she could not tolerate injustice of any kind and was not a bit shy about confronting it. At the same time, Jennifer had an irrepressible sense of humor, could pun relentlessly at times, and thoroughly enjoyed a good belly laugh, maybe especially if it was at her own expense.

Jennifer's favorite leisure activity was visiting family, but she also enjoyed a variety of outdoor pursuits. These included kayaking, cross-country skiing, hiking, motorcycle rides, and camping. After retiring, Jen loved spending time at our remote place in southwest New Mexico. There, she discovered wilderness hiking, exploring, and rock collecting, and particularly found great joy in spending time with family and friends who often visited.

Jennifer was a woman completely engaged in life, never turning down an opportunity for an adventure. She was fearless and took an unabashed delight in embracing almost any activity -- intending to drink life to its fullest. She was equally enthusiastic about searching for an ancient tribe in the jungles of Chiapas, coaxing a tarantula onto her palm, watching wildlife at a game park in Senegal, hiking the backcountry and native ruins of the Gila Wilderness, having dinner with the President and Vice President in the White House, or just wandering up the river collecting pretty rocks.

And, she was mother to the world -- to whatever critter or stray soul had the good fortune to wander into her life, be it a young squirrel or raccoon, any dog that crossed her path, or an unfortunate person adrift in the world, and especially to each and all family members. We all keenly feel her absence, but we are comforted by the fond memories of her presence.

For all her enveloping warmth, Jennifer was a very private person, and, even now, we can sense her becoming a bit cross that we're sharing this publicly.

Pisarski Funeral Homes are honored to be serving the family. For online condolences please visit www.pisarskifuneralhome.com