Gabrielle Nicole Eure

Gabrielle Nicole Eure, affectionately known as "Gabby," crafted a life filled with beauty, strength, and purpose. A talented architect, devoted daughter, beloved sister, loyal friend, and faithful follower of Jesus Christ, Gabrielle knew how to create spaces where people felt seen, supported, and inspired. Whether she was designing a project, leading worship, planning a celebration, or simply gathering friends around a table, she brought love, kindness, vision, warmth, and heart to everything she touched.

Born on February 18, 1995, Gabrielle became the newest joy to Pastors Erik and Dr. Twiggy Eure. Raised in Syracuse, New York-a city she loved deeply and served faithfully, her life was rooted early in family, faith, hard work, and an unexplainable joy that radiated wherever she went. These foundational values shaped the remarkable woman she became and fueled her deep commitment to her hometown. Gabrielle cared passionately about revitalizing Syracuse, especially in areas burdened by poverty. Through pro bono architectural and development projects, she invested her talent and time to strengthen the city's economic resilience and overall well-being, with a special focus on uplifting communities of color. Her love for Syracuse was not just spoken but demonstrated through purposeful actions and lasting impact.

A proud graduate of East Syracuse-Minoa Central High School (Class of 2013), Gabrielle continued her academic and athletic journey at Hobart and William Smith College, earning her degree in Architectural Studies in 2017. At William Smith, she was a three-year starter for the Lady Herons basketball team, a role that strengthened not only her competitive drive but also her deep admiration for the heron itself. She embraced the bird as a symbol of patience, strength, balance, and quiet determination. These qualities she embodied and ultimately honored with a tattoo reflecting her personal spirit. An All-Liberty League player, Gabrielle was a fierce rebounder and scorer whose discipline and competitive fire were evident every time she stepped onto the court. She also had the opportunity to travel internationally with a collegiate all-star team, conducting basketball clinics abroad, including one for the Special Olympics in Costa Rica, while exploring the Central American nation. Gabrielle understood movement and strategy, characteristics that defined her game and later shaped the way she lived her life. During this time, she also completed a summer internship at the Eric Cohler Design Firm.

Gabrielle was hired directly out of college by C&S Companies, where she steadily advanced to become a Senior Project Designer and recently celebrated a well-earned promotion. A dedicated employee and emerging leader in her field, she was honored at just 27 years old as the youngest recipient of the 40 Under 40 award, a testament to her talent, drive, and meaningful impact. Her professional and civic leadership extended far beyond her workplace. Gabrielle served on the Central New York American Institute of Architects (AIA) Board of Directors as Director of Emerging Professionals and contributed to the City of Syracuse Land Bank Citizens Advisory Board. She was also a proud graduate of Leadership Greater Syracuse (Class of 2025). Within C&S, she was actively engaged in the Young Professionals Network, IDEA Alliance, Women's Network, and the African American Partnership, reflecting her commitment to mentorship, inclusion, and professional development.

Gabrielle's leadership and service were widely recognized. She was a member of the M&T Bank Nourishing Tomorrow's Leaders Class of 2022 and was featured during the 2021 Syracuse NAACP Women's History Month celebration. She served on the boards of the Syracuse Dunbar Center and Echelons Syracuse. She also dedicated her time to mentoring and volunteering with organizations like the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and InterFaith Works.

In addition to her professional achievements, Gabrielle dedicated her passion to coaching and developing young athletes, serving as Head JV Basketball Coach at Henninger High School and as Assistant Women's Basketball Coach at SUNY Oswego. She participated in several STEM career panels and took part in a Sisters Empowering Sisters Conference. A proud member of the Syracuse Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Gabrielle was deeply committed to advancing both her career and her community service.

As an architect, she built more than buildings. Gabrielle believed that thoughtful design improved how people lived and thrived. This became a metaphor for her life. She not only designed spaces, but she also built belonging. Motivated by this, Gabrielle founded GE Design Creative, a studio dedicated to interior architectural design and art. She knew that beauty and strength could exist together and that good design improves how people feel. She did this naturally. She left every space and every team better than she found it.

Her faith was the cornerstone of her life. From a young age, Gabrielle served in several capacities at The Promise Land Church, and she served in every position with joy and conviction. She knew the power of her relationship with Jesus Christ and made sure it was paramount to everything she did. She lived out the words by Maya Angelou, that she loved: "My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style." And thrive she did, with unmistakable grace, joy, and light.

Gabrielle's infectious laugh and lovely smile lit up every room. She was thoughtful, witty, deeply lovable, and often called the glue that held her circles together. She enjoyed spending time with family and close friends, painting, solving puzzles, tending her plants, exploring local shops and restaurants, traveling, and planning memorable gatherings. She didn't just attend celebrations; she created them, making each person feel welcome and appreciated. The rooms she entered always seemed warmer and more meaningful.

She is survived by her beloved parents, Twiggy and Erik, whose love formed the foundation of her life; her brother, Marquis, her lifelong protector and confidant, and his wife Nicole, whom Gabrielle embraced not only as family but as a true sister; her treasured niece and nephew, Londyn and Greyson, who brought her immeasurable joy and whom she adored beyond words; her sisters, Sydni and Camryn, her built-in best friends with whom she shared an unbreakable bond rooted in laughter, loyalty, and unconditional love; and her boyfriend and best friend, Matthew Ostroff, her partner in adventure, steady support, and the one who knew her heart most deeply. She also leaves to cherish her memory her extended family, church family, dear friends, sorors, colleagues, and all who were blessed to know and love her.

At just 30 years old, Gabrielle's plans were still unfolding, her blueprints still being drawn. We grieve not only the life she lived so fully, but the beautiful designs she had yet to bring into the world. The world will feel unfinished without her, yet even in her brief time here, she accomplished more than many do in a lifetime, balancing family, friendships, career, faith, leadership, and service with extraordinary grace. She lived deliberately and often noticed the small details that many others missed.

Though her time with us was far too short, the structures Gabrielle built-in her profession, in her community, and in the hearts of those she loved-will stand for generations. Her life was a masterpiece of intention, strength, joy, and faith. Just as buildings outlast us, so do kindness and love. Her time was brief, but her impact is permanent. The skyline may not display all she dreamed of designing, but her influence is etched in the lives she touched. And like all great architecture, Gabrielle's legacy will live forever.