Gwen (Williams) Hibbard

Gwen Williams Hibbard (1935 - 2023), a long-time resident of East Grand Rapids and Ada, passed away on September 18, 2023.  Gwen was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend to many.  She was also an avid art collector, teacher, social activist and humanitarian.  

Born in Osh Kosh Wisconsin, Gwen was raised in Fox Point, Wisconsin and Libertyville, Illinois. After graduating from Northwestern University in 1957, she moved to Grand Rapids, where her parents, Arthur and Marjorie Williams then lived.  It was in Grand Rapids that she met her husband, John D. Hibbard, Jr., and where they raised their four children.

In addition to raising a family, Gwen directed much of her energy into volunteer work and socially progressive causes.  All of her work revolved around the simple notion of leaving her children a better world, whether that meant protecting the environment, improving education or enhancing the arts and humanities in the broader community.  She (along with her husband) were early supporters of Planned Parenthood of Michigan, the West Michigan Environmental Action Council, the Grand Rapids Foundation and Grand Valley State University among other organizations.  She was also founder and co-director of the Grand Rapids Area Council for the Humanities (GRACH) and was the Vice President of the Bicentennial/Sesquicentennial Committee of Grand Rapids.  Her work in the humanities earned her the Distinguished Service Award from the Michigan Council for the Humanities in 1984, recognition from the GRACH in 1995, and the Grand Valley State University Humanities Award in 2000.

Fountain Street Church was Gwen’s spiritual home in West Michigan.  She joined in 1956, and later served on the Governing Board and on the church foundation.  She was elected to the Ministerial Search committee after Duncan Littlefair announced his retirement in 1978 and chaired the Social Action and Nominating Committees. 

Gwen was a four-time cancer survivor, who was first diagnosed in 1992, and was cancer free for over 20 years.  Her eight-year struggle made her appreciative of the network of family and friends that gave her so much meaning throughout her life. Gwen also traveled widely.  Gwen visited Russia, Cuba and Wales with her sister, Gail, and numerous destinations in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East with her husband, John.  There were also the regular visits to California, and the many fun filled summers in Castle Park, Michigan.

Gwen was preceded in death by her identical twin sister, Gail Williams Young, of Atherton California, and her parents, Arthur and Marjorie Williams.  She is survived by her devoted husband, John, her children Jeff (Ann) Hibbard, Scott (Tara Magner) Hibbard, Sarah Hibbard and Chris Hibbard, her six grandchildren: Kathryn, John and William Hibbard, and Austin, Spencer and Clare Swaney, and a great grand-daughter, Isla Rose Swaney.   

A Memorial Service will be held 11am on Tuesday at Fountain Street Church.  The family will greet friends on Monday from 3 to 6pm at the Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Home.  Memorial Contributions can be made to Planned Parenthood of Michigan, the West Michigan Environmental Action Council, and Fountain Street Church.

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