In Memoriam: Former Longtime Rumsonite, Barbara Gabriel, of Monmouth Beach, 92

Former longtime Rumsonite, Barbara A. Gabriel, more recently of Monmouth Beach, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 1, at Complete Care in Shrewsbury. She was 92.

Barbara was born in Perth Amboy to John and Olga (Schaker) Demcoe.

She and her late husband Frank raised their children in Rumson, before moving to the Admiralty in Monmouth Beach.

“Barbara was a woman of remarkable elegance and unmistakable personality. With her lipstick applied, her hair and nails always perfectly done, and a beautifully decorated home, she took pride in every detail and carried herself with confidence and grace. Beneath that polish was a true spitfire. Barbara spoke her mind without hesitation and never shied away from sharing her opinions — or her advice. While often unsolicited, her guidance was always rooted in love and a genuine desire to see her family succeed.

“She shared a particularly special bond with her grandson Frank, affectionately referring to him as ‘The Prince,’ a nickname that became a beloved part of their relationship, as well as, the whole family.

“Long before it was common to do so, she taught her daughter and granddaughters to be independent, capable, and self-reliant, believing there was little a woman could not do herself. She encouraged confidence, education, and self-respect while passing down her own unique wisdom on everything from posture and presentation to life itself …

“She was a homemaker who loved caring for her family, classic movies, Frank Sinatra and Barbara Streisand.

“Barbara was also wonderfully funny, often without intending to be, which made her all the more lovable. Her strength, wit, style, and fierce love left a lasting impression on all who knew her.”
Loved ones of Barbara Gabriel in her obituary

An avid skeet shooter, Barbara was the Ladies NJ State Champion with the 410ga shotgun in the late 1960s.

In the 1970s she was an active member of Monmouth Park Racetrack Charity Ball Committee. Barbara also loved golf, spending winters in Aventura, FL, where many years ago she played a hole in one at the California Golf Club in North Miami, FL.

Lastly, she was an excellent scrabble player and enjoyed playing well into her 80’s with her devoted friend, Retta.

Barbara was predeceased by her husband, Frank S. Gabriel Sr., her step-son, Frank S. Gabriel Jr., and by her son, Michael F. Gabriel in 2016.

She is survived by: her daughters, Lori Gabriel Petschauer, of Long Branch, and Gloria Vaccarella, of Daytona Beach, FL; her grandchildren, Frank Gabriel, Kristin Gabriel Kelley (Trevor), Caroline Gabriel Flaxenburg (Ben), Caitlin Petschauer Dziedzic (Ed), Kendall Petschauer Hoch (Alex), Michael Vaccarella (Kristi), and Gary Vacarella (Julie); 13 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; her sister, Joan Buccarelli; nephew, John Buccarelli; niece, Lisa Hunt; and her former daughter-in-law, Amie Gabriel.

The family wishes to thank her attentive and loving caregiver, Ashley Lumpkins and all the wonderful staff at Complete Care in Shrewsbury.

A memorial service is set for Monday, June 8, from 10:30 to noon at John E. Day Funeral Home, 85 Riverside Ave., Red Bank. A funeral mass will follow at St. James Roman Catholic Church in Red Bank at 12:30.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Barbara’s memory to the Pediatric Urologic Oncology Program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation, P.O. Box 781352, Philadelphia, PA 19178-1352.

— Edited obituary prepared by family via John E. Day Funeral Home