Ethel P. Gibbons, a Baltimore native who helped raise a family in Roland Park, died of heart failure on Wednesday at Stella Maris Hospice. She was 87.

Born Ethel Boll, she grew up in South Baltimore, according to her daughter Celeste Marousek of White Hall.

During World War II, she worked at American Can Co., Mrs. Marousek said.

She married Clifford L. Gibbons in 1950 and together they raised eight children - three boys and five girls. Mr. Gibbons died in 1993.

A previous marriage ended in divorce.

A housewife, Mrs. Gibbons enjoyed crafts, ceramics, crocheting and sewing. She also collected porcelain dolls, said Mrs. Marousek.

"She devoted her whole life to her family," Mrs. Marousek said.

Mrs. Gibbons also liked to shop and read.

But her strongest love was raising her family, Mrs. Marousek said.

"She loved life. Right up until the end, she did not want to go. She was a tiny woman with the strength of five men - physically no, but it was in her heart, constitution and will.

"She raised me to be kind, a good person like herself, and she will be surely missed by all," Mrs. Marousek said.

Mrs. Gibbons had lived at Stella Maris Hospice since 2005.

A funeral Mass will be offered at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Stella Maris Chapel, 2300 Dulaney Valley Road, Towson.

In addition to her daughter, survivors include a son, Bradley T. Gibbons of Parkton; another daughter, Joann P. O'Neill of Baltimore; 14 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Five of her children preceded her in death: Bernard J. Tudor died this year, Melanie Gibbons in 2006, Melissa Gibbons in 2004, Clifford Gibbons II in 2003 and Carmen Greene in 2000.