Irene Tabor

Irene Bertha Gibbs Tabor passed away Monday, March 28, 2022, surrounded by her children. She was 89 years old.

Irene was born November 24, 1932, in Honolulu, Hawaii to Curnealous and Bertha May Gibbs. Her family lived in Honolulu until 1939, then moved to Wyoming. During this time, she was struck with polio, so the family moved to the warmer climate in Imperial Valley, California. They eventually moved to Las Vegas, for her to graduate from Las Vegas High School. In Las Vegas, she met and began dating Fred Tabor. After high school, she briefly attended UNR and then transferred to attend junior college in Monrovia, California, where her family had relocated. Eventually, Fred and Irene decided their long-distance relationship was too hard and married on October 1, 1951 in Monrovia. They promptly moved to Las Vegas, which became their home for 72 years, allowing for brief residencies in Calipatria and Escondido, California. They quickly began their life mission to raise their own family.

Irene's early career was as a seamstress, supporting production shows such as Casino de Paris, always making their most elaborate costumes. She became a world-class seamstress known for also creating beautiful wedding gowns, often from just a picture or hand-drawing. Later, she co-owned the family's many and varied businesses, including Charleston-Rancho Chevron, El Portal Theatre, Skyway and Nevada Drive-Ins.

Her endless energy had her volunteering at Our Lady of Las Vegas School as Girl Scout leader, Boy Scout leader, soccer coach, cheerleader coach, team mom, and hot lunch server. She also found time to volunteer for UNLV Soccer, US Youth Soccer-NV, Bishop Gorman, Eastern Star, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and West Charleston Lions. Despite being very busy, she never missed a game or performance that her kids were participants. The Tabor home on Mason was known as a place where kids could gather for a fun and sometimes raucous good time. Everybody was welcome. The Tabor birthday slumber parties were legendary, hosting sometimes as many as 20 kids.

Irene's passion was always for her family. She was most excited for the next family wedding or upcoming birth, and there were many. She welcomed each child to the family with their own personalized handmade Christmas stocking. All conversations with her eventually turned to weddings or newborns. She made every grandchild feel, that they alone, were Grandma's special boy or girl.

Irene is preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Fred Tabor, her parents Bertha and Curnealous Gibbs, sisters Alice Rose Anthis and Shirley Weaver, brothers George and Howard Gibbs.

She is survived by her sister, Linda Chapelle, daughters Lynette Koppel (Bill), Laura Barr (Bob), sons Cliff (Leslie), Roger (Amy), Glen, and Brian (Alex), 18 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.

Visitation will be Friday, April 22nd from 4-7pm at Davis Funeral Home, 1401 S Rainbow Blvd.

Funeral Mass will be Saturday, April 23rd at 1pm at Our Lady of Las Vegas Catholic Church, 3036 Alta Dr.

Burial will be Sunday, April 24th at 11am at Davis Memorial Park (limited to family)

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the UNLV Rebel Soccer Foundation, 1301 S Jones Blvd., LV, NV 89146

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