Laura Elizabeth Gabriel

Laura Elizabeth (Collins) Gabriel
Loving mother and educator

ANDOVER -- Laura Elizabeth (Collins) Gabriel, of Andover, passed peacefully on August 13, 2016, at the young age of 41.

Born in Concord, MA, daughter of Susan (Hobbs) Collins and the late William Edward Collins of Westford, Laura spent her childhood in Forge Village and attended Westford Schools. Laura was a graduate of Westford Academy, a summa cum laude graduate of Merrimack College and Master's recipient with Distinction from Rivier College.

A dedicated and passionate educator for 14 years, Laura enjoyed the lessons her students taught her and sought to increase her impact with families and children in need. Her greatest joy was in creating varied and fun experiences for her son and instilling in him a love for travel and adventure. While her life brought her to many interesting places across the globe, her heart and spirit remained "Boston Strong".

Laura will perhaps best be remembered for her fearless bravery enduring weeks of war and bombing in Lebanon during the Summer of 2006 to protect and bring her son home with her to the United States.

Laura is survived by her son who she loved more than anything in the world, Logan Edward Maroon Gabriel, her husband and best friend of 18 years, Attorney Scot E. Gabriel, both of Andover, her devoted mother, Susan (Hobbs) Collins of Westford and her faithful father-in-law, Kenneth E. Gabriel and grandparents-in-law, Edward A. "Scotty" and May Gabriel, also of Salem, NH. She leaves two loving uncles, Lloyd "Sparky" Hobbs of Pacific City, Oregon, and William Lochhead of Amherst, NH, and her beloved cousins, Jay G. Lochhead of Irvine, CA, Dr. Susan Yardley of Hollis, NH and Nicole Hobbs of Whitman, MA. Laura was predeceased by her Aunt, Nancy Lochhead, and her mother-in-law, Dorothy Gabriel, both of whom she loved very much. She leaves behind a large extended family, dear friends who she adored and a killer shoe collection.

Our family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks and most sincere appreciation for the many doctors, specialists and teammates at MGH that were diligent and dedicated to Laura's care.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Wednesday, August 17, 2016, from 4 to 7 p.m. and Thursday, August 18, 2016, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Farrah Funeral Home located at 133 Lawrence St., Lawrence, MA. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, August 19, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Anthony Maronite Church at 70 Lawrence Street, Lawrence, MA. In honor of Laura, you are invited to wear pearls. Burial will follow in St. Anthony Maronite Cemetery, North Lowell St., Methuen, MA. In lieu of flowers, Laura asks that contributions offered in her memory be made for distribution to her favorite charities including Merrimack College, Mass General Hospital and the Boston Public Gardens c/o Law Offices, 369 Merrimack St., Methuen, MA 01844.