Judith Ellen (Kessinger) Gibney, 66, of Danbury died peacefully in her home June 11, surrounded by her loving family and friends following a courageous battle against cancer. She was born on November 25, 1950, in Danbury, and spent her years growing up in Sandy Hook.

She graduated from Newtown High School and continued on to Endicott College in Beverly, Mass., and Rivier College in Nashua, N.H., graduating with a degree in nursing. She lived in Merrimack, N.H., where she raised her sons, and then returned to her hometown of Newtown.

Ms Gibney was a loving, kind, and free spirit who lived her life with compassion and generosity. She found joy in music, nature, and the company of her friends and family, who she loved unconditionally. She was the most selfless person to anyone who knew her. She devoted her life to the service of others and, as a pediatric nurse, she worked tirelessly to save and enrich the lives of infants and their mothers.

Her beautiful life will be forever cherished in the lives of her children and their spouses, Justin and Shana Gibney of Sandy Hook and Joshua and Beth Gibney of Milford, N.H.; her three devoted grandchildren, Brady, Jake, and Riley; and her siblings, Jack Kessinger of Bethel, Arline Morgensen of Dallas, Texas, Betsy Campbell of Chelmsford, Mass., and Kathi Peck of Deland, Fla., who survive her.

Her mother, Bernice Kessinger; father, Jack Kessinger; and former husband, David Gibney, predeceased her.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the pediatric oncology research department at Boston Children's Hospital, in memory of Judy Gibney. Contributions can be made at bostonchildrens.org/givenow; or mail checks, payable to Boston Children's Hospital, to Boston Children's Hospital Trust, 401 Park Drive Suite 602, Boston MA 02215-5301. Include honoree's name in the memo line.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, June 15, at the Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White Street, Danbury, from 3 to 5 pm, with words of remembrance at 5.

To light a virtual candle of hope and remembrance, visit cornellmemorial.com.