Smethport – Mary Elizabeth Dibble, 93, of Smethport, PA passed away Wednesday (March 20, 2024) at The Pavilion at BRMC, Bradford, surrounded by her family.

She was born February 13, 1931 at her home in Smethport and was the daughter of Francis Patrick and Margaret Charlotte (Hubbard) Duffy. On August 1, 1953, at St. Elizabeth Church in Smethport, PA, she married G. W. Dibble (aka Mr. Terrible), who died May 10, 2010.

Mrs. Dibble was a Smethport High School graduate and received her bachelor’s degree in education from Edinboro University, and later, her master’s in education as well.

Mrs. Dibble was an elementary school teacher for the Smethport Borough, Farmers Valley and, finally, the consolidated Smethport Elementary School for a total of 27 years.

Her husband’s career in the Air Force found them living in several different states before his retirement allowed them to return to Smethport to be near family. She was a member of St. Elizabeth Church, Smethport, the Catholic Daughters of America, the Smethport Garden Club, and the Red Hats.  She enjoyed reading, cross-stitching, stained glass work, gardening, reading, and wood carving. She was always ready for family gatherings, a chance to travel or any other fun opportunity that came along.

In her words she is survived by the “best thing that ever happened” to her:

Five daughters: Suzan Elizabeth Todd (Dana) of Houston, TX, Margaret B. Vandermark (Jerry) of Cyclone, Patricia Lu Vandermark (Don) of Farmers Valley, Julia Catherine Montijo (Fernando) of Phoenix, AZ, and Mary Carol Dibble-Glass (Jim) of Smethport

Three sons: Peter Daniel Dibble (Boramey) of Phoenix, AZ, and his twin, James Patrick Dibble of Chicago, IL, and Kevin Lee Dibble (Jill) of Smethport; plus, an honorary son, Mike James.

Grandchildren: Jonathon, Charlotte, James, Josh, Jeremiah, John, Nick, Dave, Colleen, Zack, Patrick, Emily, Samuel and Nicholas

Great grandchildren: Presley, Grayson, Gavin, Carter, Lilly, Emma, Isabella, Jameel, Camilla, Summer, Athena, Jase, Henry, Emmett, Jack, Anna and Kyler 

And numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters: Frances Patricia Rogge and Julia Susan Fink, and two brothers: William Owen Duffy and James McKean Duffy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wed., March 27, 2024, at 11AM in St. Elizabeth Church, Smethport, with the Rev. Joseph Dougherty, pastor as Celebrant.  Burial will be in St. Elizabeth Cemetery, Smethport. A reception is to be held in the parish hall afterwards. Per their mother’s wishes, the family will have an Irish wake to be announced at a later date.  

Memorials, if desired, may be made to St. Elizabeth Building Fund or the Old Jail Museum. Online condolences may be made at www.hartle-tarboxfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Smethport.