Annette Laurie Kibbe Nitko, 56, formerly of Harrison Valley,
PA, died July 17, 2019. Annette was born
to Gerald and Donna (Miller) Kibbe in Wellsboro, PA on March 28, 1963. She grew
up in a small town of Harrison Valley, PA in a loving family. At 3 1/2 years
old, she started school at the Scranton State School for the Deaf. Even at a
young age, other students looked up to her. After graduating from high school,
she went to the National Technical Institute for the Deaf. She thrived there as
a student, a dancer, a performer, and member of the Delta Alpha Sigma Sorority.
It was there that she met Tony Nitko. That relationship blossomed into 30
beautiful years of happy marriage. They raised two handsome and wonderful sons,
Chad and Blake, who are their pride and joy. Beside motherhood, Annette
continued to make an impact in the community. Annette served many years at
Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf and Arizona Schools for the Deaf and
Blind as a teacher’s assistant. She also taught Kindergarten for two years at
Laurent Clerc Elementary School. She also taught sign language at Pima
Community College in Tucson, Arizona. In South Dakota, she was the interpreting
quality assurance officer at Communication Services for the Deaf. After being
diagnosed with breast cancer the first time in 2005, she faced an uphill battle
because of the lack of communication access to cancer support. She was
determined to ensure other deaf and hard of hearing individuals had access,
support and a sense of understanding of their diagnosis. Eventually, the family
relocated to St. Louis and she began working at Deaf Empowerment Awareness
Foundation, Inc. (DEAF, Inc.). Here is where she formed Pink Wings of Hope, a
support group for deaf and hard of hearing individuals fighting cancer. Over
the next 10 years, she gave personal support to hundreds of deaf and hard of
hearing people all over United States. Although, she was facing another battle
with cancer herself, she continued to actively support the healing of others.
She impacted many lives that were previously unknown to us. Recently, she was
awarded "2019 Lifetime Achievement Award" from the state of Missouri
for her work within the deaf and hard of hearing community. On July 17, 2019,
she was granted her wings, becoming a shining example among the angels.
Beside her husband Tony, she is survived by her two sons
Chad and Blake and Blake’s wife, Sara (Blick); and her parents, Gerald &
Donna (Miller) Kibbe. She also leaves behind four siblings Brad Kibbe & his
wife Brenda, Cindy (Kibbe) North & her husband Scott, Doug Kibbe & his
wife Tammie and Melanie (Kibbe) Norwood & her husband Bryan, countless
nephews and nieces and extended family.
In her departure, she is welcomed by her brothers David &
Christopher Kibbe, niece Megan North, nephew Jesse Beyer, her grandparents
Kenneth & Lois Miller, Eddie Kibbe, Christian & Ada Winter and
great-grandmother Teanie Kibbe.
She was a pillar in our lives and in her community. At home,
there was no better mother that her sons could have asked for, and outside of
the home, she displayed the same qualities to others. She treated every person
she met with respect and understanding. She was non-judgmental. Her legacy will
live on. All of us will miss her dearly but her spirit remains with us forever.
In the meanwhile, knowing Annette - she would not want you to cry and mope,
instead smile and embrace life. Call your family and friends to remind them how
much you love them. Friends are invited to attend a memorial gathering at the
Harrison Township Community Building on Saturday, November 30, 2019 from 2:00 –
5:00 p.m. A service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Online condolences may be
expressed at www.olneyfuneralhome.com.
