Punta Gorda icon passes

Kathryne “Kit” Andrews MacGibbon, 91, of Punta Gorda, passed away Wednesday, July 13 at the Tidewell Hospice House in Port Charlotte. Born Nov. 21, 1919, in Memphis, she was a beautiful southern lady known for her dynamic spirit and community involvement. Always competitive, MacGibbon began professionally performing as a dancer on roller skates at the age of 16. At the age of 22, she met her future husband and soul mate, Flying Tiger Air Force pilot, Hugh “Mac” MacGibbon, on a blind date. After two years in California, the couple settled in Punta Gorda in 1947 with their young children, Holly and Sandy.

Enterprising Kit and her husband developed a successful commercial laundry business catering to Southwest Florida hospitals and patient care facilities. In 1954, their youngest child, Heather, was born. As her husband became a well-known figure in Punta Gorda business and politics, Kit focused on giving back to the community.

Flourishing as wife, mother and social icon, she served for many years on the boards of director for the library, the Punta Gorda Women’s Club and the Charlotte County Women’s Tennis League.

She also became a state master-point bridge champion. Traveling with bridge partners throughout the Southeast, she challenged the best and won many trophies.

Fun-loving Kit also excelled at adult go-kart racing as well, but at the age of 50, Kit discovered tennis. In 1975, driven by her competitive nature and love of the sport, Kit was instrumental in forming the Charlotte County Women’s Tennis League, which now has more than 500 members. Tennis remained a passion for the rest of her life. She celebrated her 83rd birthday by playing five sets.

She is survived by a daughter, Heather MacGibbon Waye; daughter-in-law, Dawn D. MacGibbon; granddaughters, Courtney, Lindsay and Whitney; grandsons, Darren and Forrest; great-grandchildren, MacKenzie, Mason, Madison and Eli; sister-in-law, Frances Andrews; nephews, Gary, Eddie, Wayne and Ric; niece, Cheri; and numerous lifelong friends who are a part of the family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Hugh “Mac” MacGibbon; daughter, Holly Fowler; son, Hugh “Sandy” MacGibbon III; grandson, Randal “Toby” Waye; brother, Reese Andrews; and sisters, Bobbie Goff and Shirley Gaia.

A memorial service is pending at the Kays-Ponger & Uselton Funeral Home, 635 E Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda,. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tidwell Hospice at tidewell.org or to the Charlotte County Animal Welfare League at awlshelter.org.