Joanne Christine Gabel (née Joanna Krystyny Dudziak), youngest child of Louis J. Dudziak of Sobiesiernie, Poland, and Anna J. Pisarz of Bremond, Texas, was born in Richmond, California, where she grew up and attended high school and college. In 1953 she married Joseph Gabel, with whom she celebrated 54 years of marriage, family and adventure. They spent a lifetime hiking the Sierra Nevada with their four kids, completing the John Muir Trail in their 50s, and travelling the world from the Bahamas to Tibet, until Joe’s passing in 2008.
Joanne was a consummate musician from an early age, and began teaching piano in 1960. Beloved by her students and passionate about her work, she was teaching daily until her untimely death. Besides offering private lessons, Joanne was also a classroom music teacher and worked as a liturgical musician for over 60 years. She also had an expansive career in Bay Area community theater, having served as music director and accompanist for numerous musical productions in several companies, including travelling to Budapest with her son Andrew for a special command performance.
Joanne was exceptionally talented and always remained curious about the world. She was an accomplished oil painter and award-winning photographer, and continued travelling, joining several composer’s tours throughout Europe. When Joe’s work took them to Europe and then Japan, where they lived for two years, she found yet another calling, teaching English.
Joanne is survived by her daughters Theresa (Tim) and Marianne (Mindy), and her sons Gregory (Maria) and Andrew. She is also survived by her grandchildren Mark (Marisa), Katy (Michael), Elizabeth, and Matthias, and her great-granddaughter Hannah.
Joanne will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by all whose lives she touched. A funeral Mass will be held 11am Friday, April 19, 2024, at St. Jerome Catholic Church, 308 Carmel Avenue, El Cerrito, California.
