Gabrielle Ruth Leonard, 59, of Chillicothe, Ohio, went home to be with the Lord and her parents at 6:09 p.m. on December 24, 2025. Gabrielle passed peacefully at Westmoreland, surrounded by her children and loved ones.
She was born on March 10, 1966, in Mt. Holly, New Jersey, to Jerry Slater and Jane Braddock.
Gabrielle is survived by three of her children: Jeremy Shoemaker of Harrisville, WV; Meira Leonard of Frankfort, OH; and Abraham (Brianna) Leonard of Circleville, OH. She is also survived by her eight siblings: Jeff (Kelley) Braddock of Vincentown, NJ; Gayle (Robert) Dunphy of Brunswick, GA; Gwendolyn (John) Winn of Fort Walton Beach, FL; Gretchen (Doug) Jones of Grove City, OH; Glenda Collins of Washington, PA; Gary (Jana) Slater of Valrico, FL; Grace (Bret) King of Kingston, OH; and Greta (Tyler Stillings) Slater of Washington, PA.
One of her greatest joys in life were her five beautiful grandchildren: Noah, Matthew, Jacob, and Olivia Shoemaker of Harrisville, WV, and Tulsen Neal of Frankfort, OH. She is also lovingly remembered by many nieces and nephews, including Carly (Landon) Long; Claire and Catie King; Danielle (Luke) Cordova; Joshua (Anny) Winn; Evelyn Winn; Lindsay (Calvin) Sy; Shannon (Dominick Morgante) Shoemaker and Sean (Natalia) Shoemaker; Zach Mogan and Drew Collins; and McKenna and Michael Slater, as well as numerous great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.
Gabrielle was preceded in death by her eldest son, Keith Shoemaker, and her parents, Jane Braddock and Jerry Slater.
Gabby was "zesty"; full of spirit, spunk, and honesty, often strong-willed and blunt, but always with a heart of pure gold. She loved being outdoors tending her garden, or curled up with one of her many books. She had a special fondness for classic films and television such as The Mary Tyler Moore Show, I Love Lucy, and The Dick Van Dyke Show.
She enjoyed working as a substitute lunch lady and student aide for Zane Trace Local School District. For many years she was an active member of Tyler Memorial Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir alongside her mother. Later in life, Gabby returned to school to earn her STNA certification and went on to work for National Church Residences and Midwest Health Services, where she cared deeply for the clients she served.
She will be remembered for her humor, her honesty, her stubborn streak, and most of all, her deep and abiding love for her family.
No funeral service or calling hours will be held. Instead, the family will have a private gathering with close loved ones to celebrate the life of Gabrielle. In lieu of flowers, the family asks to instead honor her by making donations to the Rheumatology Research Foundation.
She was born on March 10, 1966, in Mt. Holly, New Jersey, to Jerry Slater and Jane Braddock.
Gabrielle is survived by three of her children: Jeremy Shoemaker of Harrisville, WV; Meira Leonard of Frankfort, OH; and Abraham (Brianna) Leonard of Circleville, OH. She is also survived by her eight siblings: Jeff (Kelley) Braddock of Vincentown, NJ; Gayle (Robert) Dunphy of Brunswick, GA; Gwendolyn (John) Winn of Fort Walton Beach, FL; Gretchen (Doug) Jones of Grove City, OH; Glenda Collins of Washington, PA; Gary (Jana) Slater of Valrico, FL; Grace (Bret) King of Kingston, OH; and Greta (Tyler Stillings) Slater of Washington, PA.
One of her greatest joys in life were her five beautiful grandchildren: Noah, Matthew, Jacob, and Olivia Shoemaker of Harrisville, WV, and Tulsen Neal of Frankfort, OH. She is also lovingly remembered by many nieces and nephews, including Carly (Landon) Long; Claire and Catie King; Danielle (Luke) Cordova; Joshua (Anny) Winn; Evelyn Winn; Lindsay (Calvin) Sy; Shannon (Dominick Morgante) Shoemaker and Sean (Natalia) Shoemaker; Zach Mogan and Drew Collins; and McKenna and Michael Slater, as well as numerous great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.
Gabrielle was preceded in death by her eldest son, Keith Shoemaker, and her parents, Jane Braddock and Jerry Slater.
Gabby was "zesty"; full of spirit, spunk, and honesty, often strong-willed and blunt, but always with a heart of pure gold. She loved being outdoors tending her garden, or curled up with one of her many books. She had a special fondness for classic films and television such as The Mary Tyler Moore Show, I Love Lucy, and The Dick Van Dyke Show.
She enjoyed working as a substitute lunch lady and student aide for Zane Trace Local School District. For many years she was an active member of Tyler Memorial Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir alongside her mother. Later in life, Gabby returned to school to earn her STNA certification and went on to work for National Church Residences and Midwest Health Services, where she cared deeply for the clients she served.
She will be remembered for her humor, her honesty, her stubborn streak, and most of all, her deep and abiding love for her family.
No funeral service or calling hours will be held. Instead, the family will have a private gathering with close loved ones to celebrate the life of Gabrielle. In lieu of flowers, the family asks to instead honor her by making donations to the Rheumatology Research Foundation.
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