Rosa Gibson's life celebrated

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Many Buffalo leaders, family and friends came together Thursday to pay tribute to a woman known for fighting to save her east side neighborhood from crime.

>> click here to watch the memorial service

She had all of the influence of an elected official, but Rosa Gibson didn't hold public office, she held public officials accountable.

Former Council President George Arthur said, "She didn't sit back and say 'George go here, go do this and this,' she got out there with George and said 'this is what we're going to do.' She rolled up her sleeves, she got her hands dirty."

She was feisty and determined. Gibson earned the respect of her community, of lawmakers, and of mayors past and present. They were all there to celebrate her life and to pay respects to a life of leadership.

Former Mayor of Buffalo Anthony Masiello said, "I think very few people realize that she ventured out to other neighborhoods and even some of the suburban communities as a great ambassador for good will, good things and the betterment of people."

Gibson wrote the book on community activism, starting Buffalo's first National Night Out and establishing the Community Action Organization in the 1980s.

Friend Steve Ash said, "What you got with Rosa, you knew where you were standing. When she said she would do A, B and C. You didn't get X, Y and Z. You got the whole thing."

If there was an issue, Rosa Gibson was out front and center with a solution. She opened a food pantry, and planted a community garden, but even that had it's challenges.

Leonard Lane of the F.A.T.H.E.R.S. Organization said, "We need to honor her by going out and planting a flower and letting everyone know that she was a change agent. She been sent here by God, and God has called her home."

Gibson died last week after a battle with cancer.