Mary M. Gabel

Mary M. Gabel, 87, of Fremont, OH passed away on January 17, 2015 at Elmwood Assisted Living in Fremont, OH after a brief illness. She was born on April 1, 1927 in Fostoria, OH the daughter of Ralph A. and Helen B. (Hoffbauer) Finsel. She was a 1945 graduate of St. Wendelin H.S. and received a Bachelor of Arts from Notre Dame College, Cleveland, OH in 1949. She also attended Bowling Green State University where worked towards a Master’s Degree in Education. Mary also attended Piano Institutes in Music at BGSU each summer in Pedagogy.

Mary married Herbert A. Gabel on September 8, 1951 at St. Wendelin Catholic Church in Fostoria and he preceded her in death on March 18, 2014. Mary was a mother and homemaker. Then at age 42 she became a teacher and business department chairperson at St. Joseph Central Catholic High School for ten years. She also taught business at Terra Community College for twenty-two years. She enjoyed life and being a wife, mother, grandmother and teacher. Mary was a devoted member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Millersville where she was a charter member of the Parish Council, CCD teacher for eight years, officer of the Rosary Alter and a substitute teacher. She started the SJCC Alumni Business Club. Mary was a Charter Member of the Christian Fellowship and was as a Trustee on the Board of Directors of the Alumni Association at Terra.

Mary then began teaching the piano, keyboard and organ full time in 1990 from her home studio having taught over 250 students of all ages. She took pride in her students performing at the recitals at Our Lady of the Pines, Heidelburg College, Terra and BGSU. She and Herb established the Gabel Music Library at the Terra. She was a member of the National Musical Arts Council of Ohio, Ohio Retired Teachers Association and SCORTA. Her hobbies included gardening, reading, initiating projects, and spoiling her grandchildren. She was currently serving on the “Friends of Birchard Library” committee, remained active in the Cursillo Movement and taught calligraphy in her home.

Mary is survived by her daughters, Marianne Gabel and Joanne (Chris) Kosta both of Fremont and Claranne (Dave) Bohn, Bloomdale, OH; son-in-law, Randy Walker, Kennesaw, GA; sister, Mildred Naderer, Fostoria; grandchildren, Jennifer (Dave) Falleson, Matthew and Mark Walker and Kateri (Vish Jennings) Kosta, Megan Kosta and Emily (Jake) Zbierajewski, Rachel and Sarah Campbell.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Herbert; daughter, Rosanne Gabel Walker; siblings, Norman Finsel, Ursula Maciejewski, Barbara Zoltanski , Charles Finsel, and Catherine Nofziger.

Visitation: Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Wonderly Horvath Hanes Funeral Home and Crematory, 425 E. State St., Fremont, OH with a vigil at 7:30 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial: Saturday, January 24, 2015; 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church- Millersville, 865 Ohio 635, Helena, OH 43435 with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church.

Burial: St. Mary Cemetery, Millersville, OH

Memorials: NAMI, SJCC, Terra State Community College Music Department or Notre Dame College

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