Photo courtesy of Rigby Harting and Hagan Funeral Home - Media
Media, Pennsylvania
Oct 25, 1953 – Jun 16, 2022
Mary Helgesen Gabel— a Life to Be Celebrated
Mary Helgesen Gabel, beloved wife and mother, passed away on June 16th, 2022, after a four-year battle against fibromyalgia and cancer. Mary was an accomplished graphic designer, musician, writer, editor, publisher, crafts, and business woman, who founded her own graphic design business in 1998.
She obtained her Bachelors degree in Music Therapy and Masters degree in Music Education from the University of Minnesota and a degree in graphics and web design from the University of the Arts. Mary played the flute, piano, guitar and sang in the Pendle Hill choir, where she was formerly on the Board of Directors and was a founding member of the Racial Justice Committee.
She was also a life-long advocate and activist in issues related to equality, human rights, and the environment. Mary was also a member of Providence Friends Meeting in Media, PA and a former manager of marketing and development at the engineering firm, Bruce E. Brooks & Associates.
After retiring, Mary spread her love by creating crocheted slippers, shirts, stuffed animals, blankets, shawls, back-packs and more, for her family, friends, and grandson.
She leaves behind her husband, Medard, children, Tobias and Zoe, grandson, Tycen, sisters, Rebecca and Jane, brothers, Tom and Jim, sisters-in-law Julia and Rebecca, brother-in-law Tom, and many close friends.
A memorial service will be held at Providence Friends Meeting on July 23rd, 2022 at 2 PM. For those who would like to attend virtually, they can do so at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84897106358?pwd=TTMvUitFclZKSXpVTFpBeE9PRnpaZz09
In lieu of flowers, the Gabel family would appreciate donations to a 529 College Education Fund for Mary’s children and grandchildren. Checks can be made out to College America. More details to this will be posted on Mary’s Facebook page.
Arrangements were provided by Rigby Harting & Hagan Funeral Home 15 E. 4th Street, Media, PA 19063
www.haganfuneralhome.com
Don’t put asunder what technology puts together. Only love ❤ is truth.
Michael Mitchell
November 23, 2024 | Anaheim, CA | Neighbor
Although I didn't know Mary for long and only met her a couple of years ago, I immediately noticed her warm smile and bright eyes. She seemed to exude this calming peace and reverence for life. Given her diagnosis, she Mary still appreciated all of life. She was so passionate about her family as well. She beamed when talking about them. My sincerest condolences to her friends and family. She definitely left her mark in the world.
Valerie Vela
August 16, 2022 | Irving, TX | Friend
I am so so very sad that I learned of Mary's passing just last night. The last I saw Mary was in our laughter yoga group, at the beginning of summer. and she was laughing and smiling and looking well. I met Mary through our retrain the brain wellness program and found Mary to be someone that I truly looked up to. And at age 48, I'll be honest to say that I don't find myself looking up so often! That's to say, Mary was special. She had a calmness, a wisdom and a deep peaceful presence. ...
Gina Humble
August 13, 2022 | Friend
Mary was such a fabulous, gracious friend! We met at the University of Minnesota on the night of a late spring snowball-tossing snowstorm and continued our friendship though the years.
After Mary moved to Duluth we played music together, eventually being part of a regular singing group that met each Wednesday for many years. Mary, being so talented, would compose parts for some complicated music including Slavic tunes.
When Mary moved to Pendle Hill we thought she might...
Judy Ilse
July 23, 2022 | Duluth, MN | Friend
Mary and I were Concordia College roommates for a very short time. I am sorry we didn´t keep in touch. My condolences to her family. A beautiful life cut too short.
Sue Johnson McNeill
July 14, 2022 | School
I am grateful to Pendle Hill where I learned to know Mary, especially as she and Menard were going through the process of adopting Tobias and have valued her friendship through the years. Awesome is but one word to describe who she was and all that she contributed to the life of so many through her many gifts. All care and love to her family.
Barbarajene Williams
July 13, 2022 | Kennett Square, PA | Friend
Mary was such a beautiful gift to our world, and to me personally, and for many others who were blessed to know her. We met many years ago when we were in community together at Pendle Hill Quaker Study Center. Her love, her generosity, her creativity and her deep caring and kindness radiated out every time I saw her or heard from her. I am so blessed by the incredible life she lived which will remain in my grateful heart . Sally Palmer
Sally Palmer
July 10, 2022 | Kennett Square, PA | Friend
Mary was like a sister for me during our high school years, and she will remain in my heart as one of the sweetest, kindest and most genuine people I have ever known. My condolences for her entire family - her light lives on through all of you.
Elizabeth Everson
July 10, 2022 | Lake Elmo, MN | Friend
I had the pleasure of working closely with Mary from 2016 to 2020 as she led our firm’s marketing and business development activities. First and foremost, Mary reveled in making meaningful connections with people, whether colleagues at work, a potential client or someone sitting across from her on a train. And because she lived to make connections, she was very proficient at it. It was rare when she could not find a common life experience to share, whether from her childhood as a...
Bruce Brooks
July 09, 2022 | Gwynedd Valley, PA | Coworker
