Gaynell Gipson

Gaynell passed away on June 2, 2012, in Corvallis. She was born on Sept. 8, 1935, in Portland to Joseph and Doris Helstrom. She grew up in the Portland area, and later moved to Salem. She married Kenneth Melton in 1953, and they had a son, Kenneth Jeffery, in 1955. They later divorced. She married Benjamin Gipson in 1958, and had two daughters, Deborah Doris, who was born in 1959, and Dorothy Marie, who was born in 1961, both in Salem. Gaynell attended Parrish Junior High School and graduated from North Salem High School in 1952. She held various secretarial positions throughout her years and always worked hard to do her best. She went to work for the Corvallis Police Department in 1977, moving from the records department to the dispatch center, where she became a 911 operator. She was loved and admired by many of “her boys in blue,” and held her job in high respect. She always loved the excitement of her job and keeping our town safe with her ability to think fast and make knowledgeable decisions. She retired in 1990, keeping in touch with many of the officers and her coworkers, still calling them by their badge numbers! She loved playing bingo and had even gone on a bingo cruise! She loved to travel with family, working crossword puzzles, computer games and being at home. She had a huge heart for all, and supported many charity causes. She supported Benton Hospice Service and recovery programs. She is survived by son Jeffery; and daughters Debbie and Dottie. She leaves five grandchildren, Michael, Jamie, Nicole, Tim and Jennifer. She also leaves five great-grandchildren, Hailey, Hayden, Hunter, Jaymie and Addison. Her children and grandchildren were her world, and she was known as Great Meme, a name that was given to her by Hayden James. She will be greatly missed by Brinks, our little Chihuahua, with whom she shared treats every morning on the kitchen table! She loved all of us in her own special, nurturing way that only a mother and grandmother can! She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins and their families. She was preceded in death by her dad and mom; brother, Robert; sister, Louise; and baby niece, Sandy. We know they were all there to greet her when God’s angels delivered her ... we can only imagine the reunion. “We want you to know, Mom, that we all love you greatly. You were the best mom ever. Thank you, God, for blessing us with such an amazing and beautiful soul as our mother was. We will miss you always and forever. You are no longer suffering on Earth, but you are being healed in God’s hands.”

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Gaynell Gipson

September 8, 1935 - June 2, 2012