Dr. Marguerite Fuzo Gibbons' Obituary
We celebrate the wondrous life of Marguerite (Marge) Fuzo Gibbons, who made her peaceful transition at Arden Courts in Largo, Florida on May 2, 2026, one day after the 44th anniversary of her marriage to James Martin Gibbons. Marge was born on December 28, 1945 in Richmond (NYC), New York, to parents Matthew Eugene Fuzo and Rachel T. Spinelli. Her high school years in Saugerties, NY were filled with activities, many of them musical, such as Glee Club and theatrical productions. Marge also served as Saugerties Community Ambassador to a family in Holland in 1963. Her lifelong association with her Delta Gamma sorority sisters began with her college undergrad years in the Beta Sigma chapter at the University of Maryland, where she also served as the managing editor of the Terrapin yearbook. Obtaining her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1967, Marge continued her education at Queens College, NY, earning her Master of Arts degree, and her Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech Pathology from the American Speech and Hearing Association. After 20 or so years of clinical practice in various settings, she received her doctoral degree in Education (Ed.D.) from Nova University in Florida. Marge’s long career as therapist, manager and entrepreneur in the health and education fields spanned well over 40 years. Marge married Whiton Stewart Paine, a budding young psychologist, in 1969. Their loving union produced one son, Matthew W. Paine, who now lives in Largo, Florida, where he also works in a health-related occupation. After an amicable parting from Whiton, Marge married James M. (“JM”) Gibbons in Media, Pennsylvania, on May 1st, 1982. In the summer of ‘82 her little family of three decamped to Florida’s sunny west coast, settling in mid-Pinellas County beside the Intracoastal Waterway. JM has two adult children by his first marriage to the former Nancy Reynolds: Melinda “Susan” of Delaware County, Pennsylvania; and James “David” Gibbons, who resides in Denton, Maryland with his wife Gwynn and two daughters Abigail and Rebecca. Susan produces ceramic creations, while David is a career guidance counselor in the Maryland education system and Gwynn is a teacher/advocate for the hearing impaired. Even before their marriage, Marge and JM were singing together and performing in Gilbert & Sullivan and other choral productions. Both of them enjoyed performing, apart and together, in various groups and venues. Marge was a member of the Sweet Adelines, and also sang with the Ruth Eckerd Hall Chorus, backing up such famous musicians as Dave Brubeck and The Canadian Brass. JM played with the River City Banjo Band, and together Marge and JM created and performed many musical and comedy shows to delight their friends. Marge also enjoyed showing her collection of “Ginny” dolls, as well as some of the fine art she had accumulated over the years. Their cruising vacations in later years took them to many European and Caribbean cultural centers and historic sites, further expanding Marge’s world view. Marge will be remembered by all as a very selfless person, always empathetic to the needs of others; a “can do” bulldog with a sunny disposition in the face of any adversity; a loyal and caring friend for life. Most of all, though, we remember her never-ending smile and bubbling personality that lit up any space that she inhabited. A life so well lived for 80 years is a shining example for all of us. Doctor Marge will be missed.
A celebration of life service is being planned.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Marge’s memory to:
Special Olympics Florida, 1915 Don Wickham Dr., Clermont, FL 34711;
Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607-1460;
Suncoast Hospice Foundation, 2675 Tampa Rd., Palm Harbor, FL 34684; or
Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater (https://uuc.org), 2470 Nursery Rd., Clearwater, FL 33764
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