Zella was born January 17, 1925 to Charles “Sage” and Josephine (Gossett) Collins in Sheridan, WY. She was raised on her parents homestead in Arvada, WY. She graduated high school in Arvada, WY and shortly therefor moved with her parents to Sheridan, WY. She moved to Ukiah, CA in 1949. She worked as a telephone operator there for 8 years. She met Robert “Bob” Gibson at a dance in Vichy Springs Resort and they were married on May 19, 1951. They raised their two daughters and worked in Ukiah until relocating to Montrose, CO in 1994. The family spent many weeks camping throughout the western United States and at one time Bob and Zella owned an RV sales. Bob and Zella loved to travel in their trailer and took many wonderful trips around the United States and in Colorado. Zella was a kind and loving woman, always willing to help others. She loved her family. She especially loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved working in her flower garden, playing cards; especially pinochle, and reading books and magazines. She had a quick mind and a wonderful memory right up until the end of her life.

She is preceded in death by her spouse, Robert Gibson; her parents; brothers, Norman and Marion; her sister Evelyn; and one granddaughter, Katie Hardin. She is survived by her daughters Sharon (George) Tinaza, and Valerie (Steve) Hardin of Montrose, CO; six grandchildren, Heidi (TY) Holman of Castle Rock, CO, Shawn Hardin, Ben (Michelle) Hardin, Holly (Matt) Deer, Emily (Andrew) Repynek, and Tim Tinaza all of Montrose. Also surviving are 11 great grandchildren; Kelsie, Cailey, Brittney, and Angie Holman; Kai, Devon, Gabriel, Tre` Harden, Tyson and Trenton Tinaza; and step-granddaughter Emani Baltazar. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.