Carolyn J. Gabriel

Carolyn J. Gabriel, 78, of Colonie, NY, passed away at home surrounded by her family on August 16, 2023, after a long fought battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis and Congestive Heart Failure. Her family is comforted to know that she is finally at peace.

Carolyn was born in 1944, to parents Howard and Gustava Froschauer of Schenectady NY. She attended Colonie Central High School and graduated in 1962. She was married the same year to Vitaliano Gabriel and together they welcomed one daughter, Gabriella (Gigi), in 1968. Although she and Vito separated in 1985, they never divorced, and remained loving friends until his death in 2015.

Carolyn and her mother Gustava remained long time members of Zion Lutheran Church in Schenectady and Carolyn worked for 30 years as an Accounts Payable/Payroll Clerk for the South Colonie School District until her retirement in 2006. Carolyn was raised to treasure family and friends, and she passed that on to her daughter Gigi. She was a loving mother, sister and grandmother, a loyal friend and her genuine kindness was felt by all who knew her. She loved to cook and showed her love for her family through her thoughtfully crafted recipes.

Carolyn had the biggest heart and the most beautiful smile. She was witty and fun, yet sensitive and incredibly compassionate. She had a wonderful sense of humor and an infectious laugh. She could be strong-willed and stubborn, but those traits undoubtedly helped her deal with life's challenges. Carolyn beat breast cancer, not once, but twice, and suffered mobility issues due to crippling arthritis which left her in chronic pain since her late 50's. In early 2020 she was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis and Congestive Heart Failure. She spent the remainder of her life on oxygen and medications to reduce fluid build up in her lungs.

Carolyn is survived by her daughter Gabriella "Gigi" Gabriel Dillmann and her daughter in-law Martina Gabriel Dillmann, her brother and sister in-law Bruce and Sharon Froschauer, her grandchildren Gabriel Greagan (Ceirra), Quinlan Greagan (Vini), Ariane Becker, Julian Becker, and Sally Becker, her nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins and many caring friends.

Carolyn is preceded in death by her parents Howard Froschauer and Gustava Froschauer (Grigoleit), her husband Vitaliano Gabriel, her brother Harvey Froschauer and sister in-law Karyl Froschauer, her great grandson Alex Becker, as well as her grandmother Olive Grigoleit, and numerous aunts and uncles.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday August 22 from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 343 New Karner Road, Colonie, NY 12205 followed by a private family burial at Memory Gardens Cemetery & Memorial Park, 983 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Albany, NY 12205.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Carolyn to The Community Hospice Foundation online at www.communityhospice.org/donate or by check made payable to The Community Hospice and mailed to The Community Hospice Foundation, 310 S. Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12208.

To share a memory of Carolyn or leave a special message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.