07/31/2026
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We lower our heads in quiet remembrance as we honor the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of "Rosie the Riveter" Jeanne Gibson. A symbol of strength, resilience, and determination, she passed away on July 29, 2026, at the age of 100. Today, America loses more than a remarkable woman, we lose one of the courageous daughters of the Greatest Generation whose hands helped build the strength of a nation when freedom hung in the balance. Her legacy reminds us that true heroes are not always found carrying rifles on the front lines. Sometimes, they wear welding gloves, stand beneath showers of sparks, and build the ships, planes, and hope that change the course of history.🕊️🇺🇸
Born in 1926, Jeanne Gibson belonged to the Greatest Generation. At just 18 years old in 1944, she answered America's call during World War II, leaving her home in Minnesota to work as a welder at Todd Pacific Shipyards in Seattle, Washington, where she helped build destroyers and other naval vessels for the U.S. Navy. She later served with the U.S. Army Transportation Corps in Juneau, Alaska, preparing cargo manifests and hatch lists that supported the movement of vital military supplies.
Like millions of women who stepped into factories and shipyards while men served overseas, Jeanne became one of the legendary "Rosie the Riveters." Their determination, hard work, and sacrifice kept America's wartime industries running and played a crucial role in securing Allied victory.
After the war, Jeanne continued a life of service. She earned a Ph.D., spent more than 30 years as an educator, earned her private pilot's license, and dedicated her retirement to preserving the history of the Rosie generation. She became a beloved volunteer and ambassador, sharing her story with students, veterans, and visitors across the country, ensuring that the contributions of wartime women would never be forgotten.
In 2024, at the age of 98, Jeanne and thousands of fellow Rosie the Riveters were collectively awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, one of the United States' highest civilian honors, recognizing their indispensable contributions to the nation's victory during World War II.
Even after celebrating her 100th birthday in 2026, Jeanne remained committed to honoring veterans and educating future generations. Her strength, humility, and unwavering patriotism made her a treasured representative of the Rosie legacy.
Today, we remember not only a woman who helped build ships during wartime, but a woman who spent an entire century building a legacy of courage, perseverance, service, and inspiration. Jeanne Gibson's life reminds us that ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things when duty calls.
Rest in eternal peace, Jeanne Gibson.
Jeanne Gibson
1926 – July 29, 2026
Age: 100
"The legacy of Rosie the Riveters lives on through the freedom they helped defend and the generations they continue to inspire." 🇺🇸🕊️
