Mary "Candy" Gabel

Mary Candace Gabel, lovingly known as Candy, passed away peacefully on September 5, 2025, at Advent Health Fish Memorial Hospital at the age of 68. Born on December 16, 1956, in Kansas City, Kansas, Candy lived a life defined by unconditional love, quiet strength, and a deep faith that touched everyone she met.
A devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend, Candy is survived by her beloved husband, Eugene (Gene) Gabel, her high school sweetheart. Together, they built a beautiful life and had four amazing children. They would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on March 19, 2026-a testament to a lifetime of enduring love and partnership.
Reflecting on their life together, Gene shared:
"Candy was not only my best friend and the love of my life-she was the heart of our family. She was a beautiful person inside and out, and her kindness and strength will live on forever in those of us she left behind."
She is also survived by her children Regina Gabel (Louie), David Gabel (Carrie), and Kimberly Gabel (Adrian). She was a proud grandmother to Ashley, Ryan, Tyler, Jason, Jesse, Bryce, Emily, Jayden, Marquis, Dominique, and Mercedes; and a loving great-grandmother to Aubrey and Baby Boy Gamboa. Candy is also survived by her siblings Ann, Bill, Bruce, and Danita. She is preceded in death by her parents, William Irwin Ellifrits and Francis Belle Ellifrits, along with her precious son James, who left too soon at just 18 months old.
Candy graduated from Wyandotte High School, where she focused on nursing-the beginning of what would become a lifelong calling to give and care for others. Though she chose to devote herself full-time to raising her family, the skills and compassion she developed through her nursing studies were reflected in everything she did. Whether caring for her children, supporting her community, or comforting those in need, Candy's nurturing spirit and selflessness touched countless lives.
Those who knew Candy will remember her as someone whose love poured out effortlessly to everyone she encountered. She had a unique way of making each person feel seen, special, and cherished. Her legacy is one of compassion, warmth, and unwavering faith.
Candy often drew strength from scripture, and one verse that deeply reflected her life and spirit was 2 Timothy 4:7-8:
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing."
A celebration of Candy's life will be held at 10:00am Saturday, September 13th at Cornerstone Church located at 2813 Howland Boulevard in Deltona, Florida. All who loved her are welcome to attend and honor her memory.