Helga Mary Gabriel

She was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, and her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Helga was born on April 8, 1930, in Teaneck, NJ, and remained a proud "Jersey Girl" her entire life. After graduating from Dupont High School in Dupont, NJ, she began her professional career as a floor clerk on Wall Street with Clark Dodge & Co. But her adventurous spirit led her to enlist in the Air Force, where she served as an Airman 2nd Class and met the love of her life, James S. Gabriel, Jr. They married in Texas and were stationed in England, where they welcomed their first daughter, Bette-Jean. Their travels continued with a move to Tampa, FL, and then Northern VA, where they had their second daughter, Suzie Charlotte.

After years as a stay-at-home mom, Helga embraced a new career at McDonald's, where she started as a fry cook and worked her way up to Swing Manager, after completing training at McDonald's Hamburger University.

Helga and Jim retired to Kill Devil Hills, NC, where they joyfully embraced their roles as grandparents. They treasured their time with their grandchildren, taking numerous trips and creating lasting memories with Sean, Janyse, Nik, and Jamee. In 1999, they moved to Ocala, FL, where they spent many happy years enjoying the community and the golf course at Ocala Palms.

Helga’s final move brought her to Gautier, MS, where she continued to visit her five great-grandchildren and even completed a lifelong goal by visiting North Dakota at the age of 94, marking it as the last of the 50 states she had yet to explore.

Helga’s family and friends will always remember her for her down-to-earth nature, her love for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and her remarkable ability to travel anywhere to be with loved ones. Known for her sharp wit and sense of humor, she embraced her German heritage and had a special love for chocolate and a good beer. She was a true reflection of love, loyalty, and warmth, and she will be deeply missed by all the lives that she touched.

Helga was preceded in death by her parents, Karl and Charlotte Witt Engel, and her husband, James S. Gabriel, Jr. She is survived by her daughters, Bette-Jean Gabriel Jones (William) of Pascagoula, MS, and Suzie Charlotte Gabriel Spannuth (John) of Warrenton, VA; her grandchildren, Sean Houston Spannuth (Shana) of Falls Church, VA, Janyse Jones Cabatu (Christopher) of Norfolk, VA, Nikolaus James Spannuth of Warrenton, VA, and Jamee Jones Molander (Kevin) of Humble, TX; her great-grandchildren, Max-Owen Cristopher Molander, Kaylen Mia Cabatu, Cristopher James Molander, Trevor James Molander, and Lylah Morgan Cabatu; and her cousin, Linda Eva Kristahn Busack of Norwalk, CT.

The family would also like to express their sincere gratitude to Hospice of Light and Hoop Cares (especially Cathy and Haley). They showed great care, respect and comfort to the entire family.

Inurnment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Helga’s family requests that donations be made to her favorite charities: St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and the National Wildlife Federation.