Mary Kay Gibbons, 76, nurse

Mary Kay Gibbons, 76, of Philadelphia, a nurse and lifelong caregiver for friends, neighbors and family, died Sunday, May 3, of cancer at home.

Mrs. Gibbons, whose maiden name was Kearney, was at various times a working nurse, corporate nurse, and visitor to the sick and homebound.

Her family, though, joked that she also practiced "whole listic" nursing - as she had a whole list of remedies from a lifetime of experience. She could recommend an herbal product or over-the-counter item for whatever was ailing anyone.

Part of her caregiving stemmed from an interest in the effects of herbal supplements and holistic remedies. "If you asked her about aspirin, she as likely told you of an herbal painkiller as well," her family said in a tribute.

She gave care and advice almost to the end. Several days before she died, Mrs. Gibbons urged a lifelong friend to visit the emergency room after she suspected the friend's coronary stent had moved. "It had," her family recalled.

Born in St. Agnes Hospital in Philadelphia, she lived in Stonehurst Hills, in Upper Darby, and then the city's Logan Square neighborhood.

Mrs. Gibbons graduated from John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls' High School and began her training at St. Mary's School of Nursing in Fishtown. After St. Mary's closed its nursing school, she completed her course work at St. Agnes School of Nursing in 1959.

"Loyal to the bone," her family said, she returned to St. Mary's and worked the wards of the neighborhood hospital, rising to nursing supervisor of intensive care. She moved on to become supervisor of employee health at Strawbridge & Clothier in Center City. Later, she tended the sick and homebound as a visiting nurse.

Because Mrs. Gibbons never owned a car, she took public transportation to the homes of patients, some in rough areas. "No one will harm a [uniformed] nurse," she told those who expressed concern. Friends said she also provided food, clothing, and sometimes, bail money for her patients.

Mrs. Gibbons married in 1966 and lived in Feltonville with her first husband, James Gibbons. She returned to Logan Square in 1996 and married William McKnight. Both preceded her in death.

Surviving are stepdaughters Mary Beth McGrath, Kelly Jagdesan, Michelle McKnight, and Patricia McKnight; three brothers; and nieces and nephews.

A viewing is to be from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 7, and Friday, May 8, from 9 to 10 a.m., in the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul's main church, 18th Street and the Parkway. A Funeral Mass is to be said at 10 a.m. Friday at the basilica. Burial is private.

Donations may be made to the Chapel of Divine Love of the Pink Sisters, 2212 Green St., Philadelphia 19130.