Gabriel, Joann Carolyn (Stagg)
Spouse(s):
William (Bill) John Gabriel
Other Family Members:
__ __ __Carolyn, Paul
She was a grade two teacher at the Princeton School. She worked for mental health and Community Services (President); Was a teacher at Princeton School.
Obituary
March 25,1940- February 26,2024.
Bachelor of Education,
Medal of British Columbia Citizenship
It is with great sadness, that the family of Joann Gabriel of Princeton, BC announces her passing at the age of 83. Joann passed away peacefully, in her private room, at the University Hospital of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC. She was with her immediate family in the weeks and days leading up to her passing. True to her character, she fought a courageous battle against leukemia during her last two years.
Joann was the only child of the late George and Nancy STAGG of Victoria, BC. She was born in Victoria and spent her childhood with life long friends, Marilyn TOMLINSON and Lorraine SEDGEMAN. Her summers were spent ‘up at the beach’ at the family cottage in Mill Bay. She graduated from Teacher’s College (University of Victoria) in 1960 and arrived by Greyhound bus in Princeton wearing matching hat and shoes, white gloves on to wooden sidewalks. She moved to Princeton to start her teaching career that would span 40 years. It was here that she met the handsome town Baker.
Joann was married to the late William (Bill) Gabriel of Princeton in 1962 and their marriage spanned the next 57 years.
Joann is lovingly remembered by her daughter Carolyn CHROBOT (nee GABRIEL) of Prince George, her son Paul GABRIEL of Princeton, Carolyn’s husband Larry CHROBOT, and her grandchildren, Andrew, Kathryn and Lauren CHROBOT of Prince George – to whom she was
affectionately known as Grandma.
She is survived by her sister-in-law Marilyn (Syd) Price and brother-in-law Robert (Cyndy) Gabriel and numerous nieces and nephews.
Joann is probably best known for her many years as a teacher at John Alison Elementary and for her volunteer work. She was deeply passionate about her community and involved in many service clubs and local organizations, especially the Princeton and District Community Services Society.
Joann enjoyed curling, painting and the outdoors (golf, skiing , bird watching and gardening), and road tripping with her husband Bill, especially to the Yukon, Alaska , and Prince George. She and Bill had a strong affection for Australia – where Joann taught for a year while the two of them explored the Oceania region.
They went on to become world travelers making memories and new friends throughout their travels.
The family would like to acknowledge and thank the many medical and counseling staff who helped with Joann’s care, in Penticton and especially in Princeton, and Prince George. In addition the family is forever grateful for the love and support from such dear and supportive friends and family members.
Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at a Celebration of Life which will be held for Joann and her late husband Bill on Saturday June 29, 2024, at 11 am at the Princeton Seniors Centre.
If friends and family so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the BC Cancer Foundation to support cancer research or to the Princeton and District Community Services Society.
References:
The School on Vermilion Pg. 93 POV Pg. 345, 346, 347