Marie A. Gibbs

Marie A. Baskin was born on July 15, 1959 in Jacksonville, FL. As a military family, she, along with her sisters, moved around many times, ultimately ending up in Southern California. She graduated from Rio Mesa High School in Camarillo, received a Bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University, and a Master’s degree from Cal State University of Northridge. Marie married Neil Gibbs in a small ceremony on February 14th, 1981, and gave birth to Courtney Elizabeth on October 6th, 1982 in Okinawa, Japan. After Okinawa, Marie and her family were stationed at the Naval Base in San Diego, where she worked at the North Island Child Development Care Center. 

In 1990, Marie began work at CBC Port Hueneme as a Contract Specialist Intern for the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC). In 2002, Marie accepted a position with the Naval Facilities Institute and became the Program Manager for the NAVFAC Professional Development Center Intern Program. In this position, Marie had found her calling as she mentored and guided hundreds of entry-level interns into professional positions within NAVFAC. Marie was committed to the personal and professional development of these interns and strived to create a climate of fairness and opportunity throughout the organization. Thanks to Marie’s dedication and proactive efforts in managing NAVFAC intern programs, she is credited for building a diverse pool of future leaders for the Navy. Marie assumed responsibility for ensuring each intern was provided ample opportunity and guidance to become successful in their chosen career. Marie has made a positive impact on the lives of many people who will remember and recognize her love and support long into the future.

During Marie's career, she received numerous awards and recognition, including the prestigious Joyce Stewart Memorial Award in March 2007. And in 2015, a flag was flown over Afghanistan in her honor.

Marie passed away on November 24, 2018 after a lengthy illness. While Marie had been diagnosed with Lupus and chronic heart failure, she would not allow her life to be defined by her illnesses or the resulting complications that came with them. Marie was a lover and a fighter. She loved on and fought for both her family and her friends alike.

As everyone’s favorite mom and cheerleader, Marie was always willing to lend an ear, words of wisdom, and offer support whenever and wherever she could. Having been raised in a family that showed love through cooking and baking, Marie was known for her spaghetti sauce, her sweet and tangy chicken, and her sugar cookies.

Marie will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Courtney and her husband, Will, and her granddaughter Harper Marie and grandson Liam Neil, as well as many other relatives, coworkers, and friends. Marie was preceded in death by her husband, Neil, her mother and father George and Margarette Baskin, her sisters Patricia Baskin and Carol McCarthy, and her niece Jennifer Ruiz.

...Family in the care of Erin Arteaga, Funeral Director