Joan Gibbs was born in Richmond Hill, New York. She attended Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, and was employed by British Airways (then called British Overseas Airways Corporation) as a ground stewardess. She longed to fly and become a "hostess" as they were called back in the'50s, but because she was not an English subject, they would not allow her to fly for BOAC.
She continued being a ground stewardess until her resignation and was employed by National Airlines. They flew the Eastern Coastline, mainly Florida and Cuba.

Soon afterward, she left National Airlines for a simpler life, and became employed by Sperry Gyroscope Company in Lake Success, New York. There, she became an editor for technical manuals used in the Polaris submarines. In 1964, she met her husband, Dick, at his ski-chalet at Catamount Ski Area in Hillsdale, New York. They were married in 1965 and moved to Mount Kisco, N.Y., where their three children (Elizabeth (Lizzy), Lesley and Jonathan were born. Joan and Dick lived five years in Mount Kisco, and in 1971, the family moved to Westport, Connecticut, where they remained for 23years. Joan was active raising 3 children, as well as being employed by the Westport Education Association. She became an active member in the Parents Teacher's Organization, and was employed by several lawyers in Westport, CT.
In July 1995, her husband retired from his Public Relations firm, Gibbs & Soell, in New York City, and Joan, Dick and Lizzy moved to Oak Creek where they had purchased a ranch, naming it the Bar GS Ranch, located directly across from Stagecoach Lake. While Joan's husband, Dick, and son, Jon worked the ranch, Joan answered an ad in the Steamboat Today asking for volunteers to work at the Extended Care Center (ECC). Joan enjoyed working with senior citizens, at the then Routt Memorial Hospital.

Joan has been involved with the Yampa Valley Medical Center as a per diem employee and a volunteer. She also became a member of the Routt County CattleWomen, volunteered annually for the Literary Sojourn, and was an active member of the Yampa Valley Medical Center Auxiliary. Joan was known as Monday's Cookie Lady! Meanwhile, she was active with her daughter, Lizzy, who has Tuberous Sclerosis. Lizzy became a resident in a Group Home run by Horizons. Daughter Lesley lives in Middlebury, Vermont, and son Jon(athan) still lives on the Bar GS Ranch, taking care of cattle,haying and overseeing all the needs of a ranch, as well as being a local musician.
Joan leaves behind four grandchildren: Mayana, Nyle, Orion and Jahnu, and 3 children, Lizzy, Jon, and Lesley. Her husband, Dick, passed away in February 2017.

In lieu of flowers, Joan's wishes were that Lizzy be well taken care of, given lots of love, and has the opportunity to be active with all activities offered her, and Joan's dog, Pixie be very well taken care of in a home filled with love with wide open spaces.