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IPS Remembers Rachel “Randy” Gibbons

(IPS would like to thank Professor Emeritus Peter Gilmour for penning the following commemoration.)

Rachel “Randy” Gibbons died of cancer in mid-October.  During her thirty year career at IPS, Randy served with five directors in several positions.  She started as Receptionist and quickly moved to Administrative Assistant.  During the last several years of her tenure at IPS, she served as Assistant Director.  During Randy’s time at Loyola, IPS developed several new degree programs and relocated to the Water Tower Campus.  For several years, she administered the scholarship program, and was the behind-the-scenes person who not only kept track of an amazing amount of detail but also organized a myriad of IPS special events, Leavetakings and Graduations among them.

One faculty member summed up Randy’s unique approach to her work: “Randy’s emphasis was pastoral.  No job was beneath her, no rank was above her, and she found ways and means to support so many students who might otherwise have fallen through the cracks.”  Randy’s long and loving service to IPS was honored several years ago when an endowed scholarship was established and named in her honor.

Randy was a 1968 graduate of Mundelein College, and shortly before she died, was delighted to celebrate her 50th anniversary with her roommates from college.   While working here at IPS, Randy enrolled in the Master of Pastoral Studies degree program and received her Master’s degree from IPS in 1988.

During her retirement years, Randy continued her lifelong love of reading.  She was quick to recommend engaging books she had read.  She also enjoyed going out to dinner with her many friends.  But, first and foremost, was her family.  Her four children and eight grandchildren lovingly engaged much of her time and attention.  Her husband Bill who suffered from Parkinson’s disease, died less than a year ago.

*** Above photos were shared by Randy’s daughter, Tracey Gibbons. ***

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To learn more about IPS, go to https://www.luc.edu/ips/.  For those interested in applying to IPS, go to https://gpem.luc.edu/apply/.
Posted on November 1, 2018 by . This entry was posted in IPS, IPS Alumni, Jesuit University, Loyola University, Service, Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.
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4 thoughts on “IPS Remembers Rachel “Randy” Gibbons”

  1. avatar Rainey says:
    November 1, 2018 at 1:58 pm

    I have been very grateful to receive support from the “Randy” Gibbons fund … but never knew the donors or source. Randy’s life is a blessing and I’m proud and grateful to learn all the more of her pastoral holiness. Thank you for letting us know more about Randy and her life well-lived and inspiring.

  2. avatar Jude Huntz says:
    November 1, 2018 at 3:19 pm

    I was shocked and saddened to learn of Rachel’s passing. She was a huge help to me as a distance learner at IPS. Whenever I had a question or needed something, I could always call or email Rachel, and she always had the answer.
    Godspeed, good and faithful servant.

  3. avatar Valerie Zimmer says:
    November 1, 2018 at 6:54 pm

    What a wonderful tribute to Randy, Peter! I remember Randy as a lady who had the pulse on everything IPS. We were so blessed to have her and all of the staff who kept the ship running…Randy, Kathy, Carita, and MaryAnne were there when I started at IPS. Peace be with Randy, her family and all who were fortunate to cross paths with her at IPS and in this life.

  4. avatar Stacy Wenzel says:
    November 2, 2018 at 9:58 am

    This is a lovely tribute to Randi. I had the good fortune to see her pastoral gifts in action at St. Ignatius Church. When I joined the parish back in the 1990s, Randi lead the ‘education committee’ and fostered a wonderful community there. I really miss those days and the good conversations she helped foster. She was an inspiration to me and I am thankful to have known her. Wishing peace and good memories to her family and friends.

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