Dorothy C. Gabriel

LAWRENCE — Dorothy C. (Maroon) Gabriel died on Wednesday morning, Feb. 6, 2008, with her family by her side.

Born in Lowell, she was the oldest daughter of Fred T. and Alice R. (McAnespie) Maroon. She spent her childhood on Suffolk Street sharing many happy times with her grandparents, parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins. She attended St. Patrick Grammar School, Keith Hall and studied at the Mater Christi teaching program at Boston College.

Dorothy was a teacher at St. Stanislaus elementary school in Lowell. She was also a licensed hairdresser and spent many happy hours working alongside her father, siblings, aunts, and uncles at the family business, Maroon's Hair Salon. She later worked at The Blair House in Tewksbury as their in-house beautician and barber until her retirement in 1999 where she delighted in not only doting on her residents' outward appearance, but providing caring companionship to them.

Dorothy was a devoted parishioner at Saint Anthony Maronite Church in Lawrence where she worked as parish secretary and spent many wonderful hours there involved in the People's Club, the folk choir and the Ladies Sodality, and as advisor to the Maronite Youth Organization. She was awarded the Massabki Medal recognizing her contributions to the life of the parish. Along with her in-laws, she founded Gabe's 4-D Donuts and Gabe's Family Restaurant at Salisbury Beach and Lawrence.

She is survived by her devoted husband and partner of nearly 39 years, Kenneth. E. Gabriel; her son, Attorney Scot E. Gabriel and his wife Laura; her daughter, Dawn Marie Gabriel; her son, Dr. Kenneth Michael Gabriel and his wife Jamie; and her parents-in-law, Edward A. "Scotty" and May Gabriel with whom she shared her home. She was the beloved Sithee of her grandson, Logan Edward Maroon Gabriel. All are of Salem, N.H. She leaves her sisters, Janice and her husband Joseph Rodgers of Vernon, Conn., Dana and her husband Michael Drees of Springfield, Cynthia M. Maroon of Methuen and Monica Maroon of South Attleboro; her sister-in-law, Mrs. Samuel J. (Donna) Maroon of Windham, N.H. She is also survived by her brothers, F. Thomas and his wife Laurie Maroon of Methuen, David Maroon and his spouse Christopher Guard of Methuen and Daniel Maroon of South Attleboro; and her in-laws, Edward J. and Debra Gabriel of Salem, N.H. She also leaves her aunts and uncles, Rose Nachef of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., Richard and Louise Maroon, Violette Maroon, and Noha Maroon, all of Methuen and Mary and Joseph El-Kareh of Lowell; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Dottie enjoyed her days spent at Salisbury Beach delighting in her nieces, nephews and cousins. She was a devoted wife and mother who loved to cook and entertain for her family. Her kind ways and her big heart were open to everyone - family, friends and mere acquaintances. Her table was always overflowing and her house was always filled with many guests. No one in her home was ever a stranger. Her capacity to understand, to counsel and to comfort were unbounded. She will be sorely missed.

ARRANGEMENTS: Friends and family are invited to visit on Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m. and Monday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Farrah Funeral Home, 133 Lawrence St., Lawrence. A funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Anthony Maronite Church at 70 Lawrence St., Lawrence. Burial will follow at St. Anthony Cemetery in Methuen. In lieu of flowers, her family asks that donations be made to the Dorothy C. Gabriel Scholarship Fund; c/o 369 Merrimack St., Suite E, Methuen, MA 01844.

This obituary was originally published in the Eagle-Tribune.