Brandy Marie Gibson, 20, died Jan. 29 in an automobile accident in Oak Bluffs.

She was born May 14, 1987 in the Sevier County Hospital in Sevierville, Tenn., to Ricky and Leslie Gibson. She began her short time on this earth charming all those that were ever fortunate enough to cross her path.

In the late spring and early summer of 1988, she “washed ashore” on the Vineyard where, except for a year in Tennessee, she lived out her days.

Part of the “dynamic duo” of Brandy and Alekz (her first cousin), she quickly became one of the “three musketeers” when her little sister Denim Lace Bettencourt of Oak Bluffs was born.

Practically inseparable until their teen years, they were often seen at all the Island hot spots like Portside, the Flying Horses, Joseph A. Sylvia State Beach, children’s church at the Apostolic House of Prayer, Dairy Queen and all the various parks with their grandmother, Mimi.

With the addition of cousin Jasmine Reed of Vineyard Haven, the group began their annual “flatlanders go to Vermont” expedition to Uncle Mike’s farm. It was an August event that encompassed bonfires, cookouts, camping, funny and incriminating pictures of each other, the county fair and swimming in the pond.

Living with Mimi, Brandy showed great enthusiasm for sports, theatrical entertainment, and figure skating. No challenge was too grand, no task too daunting. She faced every obstacle with her head held high and her dazzling smile. She captured the hearts and the attention of those around her including her Tisbury School principal, Maureen DeLoach, who awarded her the coveted Principals’ Award when she graduated from eighth grade in 2001. After a rather busy time participating in field hockey, ice hockey, track, softball, lacrosse and cheerleading, she graduated from the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School-Rebecca Amos Institute in 2005.

As Mimi had been diagnosed with inoperable liver cancer, Brandy postponed college for a year. In spite of the devastating loss of Mimi in August of 2006, she bravely attempted Bridgewater State College for that same fall semester. Assured that no one would be disappointed in her, she withdrew without prejudice before the semester’s end, requiring more time to grieve. Having a difficult time after such a loss, she still managed to give of herself — especially to children. She worked as a nanny, babysat, volunteered and eventually taught as a substitute teacher, which convinced her to return to school to pursue work with children.

Remembered by her family and many friends for antics too numerous to recount here, her death has left all our lives a little dimmer, a little quieter and a whole lot sadder. Grateful to God for allowing such generosity to walk in our midst for an all too brief time, we are all richer for having known her and hopefully a bit nicer one to another by her example. She is greatly missed.  

Survivors include her beloved grandmother, Gladys (Mamaw) Burney of Kodak, Tenn.; her parents, Ricky Gibson of Tennessee and Leslie DeOliveira of New York; her stepfathers, Michael (Dad) Bettencourt of Oak Bluffs and Gilson DeOliveira of the Vineyard; her little sister, Denim Lace Bettencourt of Oak Bluffs; her little brother, Grant Gibson of Tennessee; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins; many teachers and mentors; and hundreds of best friends.

Donations in her memory may be made to the newly established Brandy Marie Gibson Memorial Fund at the Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank.