Thelma Faye Cibula

Faye Cibula went home to her Lord, Jesus Christ on November 10th 2025. She passed away peacefully at home after a long, courageous battle with Parkinson’s.

Faye was born and raised in Pensacola and graduated from Escambia High School as salutatorian. She attended Florida State University where she was in the Seminole circus performing as a trapeze artist. With a degree in education, she embarked on a career as an elementary school teacher until she met the love of her life, Jim Cibula. (One might say she continued her career in the circus by marrying Jim and raising three wild boys.) Married in 1965, Jim and Faye began their forty-eight year adventure building a family, traveling the world, hosting many cookouts, watching FSU football, worshiping at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, and spoiling grandchildren. She also returned to her education career with many years teaching 5th grade at Oriole Beach and helping babies and toddlers with special needs all over Santa Rosa County. Upon retirement, she enjoyed volunteering with the Ladies Auxiliary at Gulf Breeze Baptist Hospital even with a term as President. She also continued spending time with life-long friends and making memories with her beloved grandchildren. As one of her neighbors said today, “She was always grinning, always smiling, always waving. She was a great lady.”

Faye was preceded in death her husband Jim, parents, Odest and Naomi Ard, sister Linda McIntosh, and brother Bill Ard. She is survived by her sons Mike, Matt (Catlin), Clay (Paula) and her five grandchildren Whit, Larkin, Jack, Maggie, and Lucy.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 am, Monday, November 17th at St Ann's Chapel. Visitation will begin at 10:30. A reception will follow the service in the Parish Hall.