Glenda Faye Gigowski (Adams, Repp) passed away peacefully surrounded by loving family, friends, and caregivers on the evening of February 24, 2024, at Midtowne Assisted Living & Memory Care in Midlothian, Texas.

Glenda was born on June 7, 1947, in Terrell, Texas to parents Stephen Curtis and Mayme Faye (Helm) Adams. She grew up in Garland and attended Good Shepard Catholic School, Bussey Middle School, and Garland High School.

She married her childhood friend and high school sweetheart, Robert (Bob) Repp and they were married for 31 years. Their beloved daughters, Shelly and Kristi were their pride and joy. In 1981,  the family moved from Garland to Cedar Creek Lake to reside closer to her parents.

In 2001, she married Robert (Bob) Gigowski and they had been married 22 years when she went to Heaven. The union expanded their loving family with the addition of Bob’s son and daughters, Amy, Jeremy, Julie, and Amber. For several years they lived in Hewitt and Groesbeck, eventually returning to the DFW metroplex in 2011.

Glenda spent much of her career in business management and accounting. Most notably remembered for her days owning and operating Northwood Marina with Bob Repp, Bridge Harbor Seafood restaurant with Peggy Schlebach, and Renaissance Associates and The Jackson Plantation with daughters, Shelly, and Kristi.

Glenda will best be remembered for her abundant zest for life. She smiled freely, laughed joyously, and loved with her whole heart. She never met a stranger, and her social circle was broad. Making everyone feel special and loved was her most endearing gift. The doors to her home and heart were always open, as she enjoyed hosting parties and bringing people together. She loved her family more than anything in the world. She cherished visiting Papa Adams on his farm in Talty, trips with her Adams family cousins, and adored her seven grandchildren.

She was enthusiastically involved with the girls’ activities; be it the softball Mom, Bluebirds, Girl Scouts, FHA, PTA, Mabank School Board and the always fun mother/daughter trips and campouts. She loved the outdoors and enjoyed boating on Cedar Creek Lake, floating the Frio River, camping at Garner State Park, family hayrides, hosting barbeques and gardening. She was an avid SCRABBLE player and taught Shelly and Kristi to play as soon as they could spell. She had no mercy where SCRABBLE was involved. She had no objection to beating her daughters in a friendly game of cut-throat SCRABBLE. She also enjoyed the competitive-natured Gigowski family and their marathon, Olympic-style weekend games. What fun she had!

In March of 2020, Glenda was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. Her initial response to the devastating diagnosis was, “I’m no better than anyone else.” The same words her mother shared in 1982 when she received her cancer diagnosis. As reminded by daughters, God directed this path for their family, and Glenda found comfort in those words. It gave reassurance her diagnosis was not happenstance or merely bad luck. Glenda experienced a rapid decline, despite medical intervention. And thus began the long goodbye.

On Sunday, February 18th, Glenda suffered a stroke and drew her final breath seven days later. The stroke, while unexpected, ultimately spared her from further indignity and suffering of a much longer, debilitating Alzheimer’s journey, which was her worst fear. The evening prior, she enjoyed her favorite meal, a cheeseburger and fries, with her lady friends at their regular dining table. She was cheerful and caring to the other residents, especially her caregivers. Using her walker and assisted by a caregiver, she danced and jiggled her way back to her apartment, spent the evening with husband Bob, and went to sleep peacefully. What a glorious day it was before life changed forever.

Survivors include husband Bob Gigowski, daughters Shelly (Don) Sanders of Temple, and Kristi (Brian) Griffith of Midlothian; brothers Darrell (Tammy) Adams of Greenville and Stan (Janan) Adams of Richardson; stepchildren Amy (Jeff) Bates of Kingwood, Jeremy (Marianne) Gigowski of Glen Ellyn, IL, Julie (Tracy) Gigowski of Hurst, Amber Gigowski of Buda; grandchildren Camryn (William) Stowe, Kaley Bates, Allie Bates, TJ Gigowski, Jaidyn Gigowski, Te’a Gigowski, and Rylee Wilson. Along with many beloved brothers and sisters-in-law, a host of nieces and nephews and more cousins than one can count.

Glenda was proceeded in death by her beloved parents Curtis and Mayme Adams, older brother Steve Adams of Washington and father-in-law, Ralph Gigowski. There is no doubt she was greeted by a host of dear, loved ones awaiting her arrival in Heaven.

The family expresses their heartfelt gratitude for the loving care team at Midtowne Assisted Living & Memory Care and the expert hospice team at Elara Caring.

Per her wishes, her earthly body has been donated to science for research.  

Arrangements are as follows:

Memorial Worship Service: March 9, 2024 @ 10:00am

     Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church

     7810 Shiloh Rd.

     Midlothian, Texas 76065

Celebratory Reception: March 9, 2024, from 12:00pm – 4:00pm (come and go)

     Thorntree Country Club

     825 W. Wintergreen Rd.

     DeSoto, Texas 75115

Memorial Video will be available on March 10, 2024.

If desired, memorial donations in honor of Glenda may be made to:

Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church (https://www.shilohcpc.org) or

Paws for Reflection Ranch (pawsforreflectionranch.org) 

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