Obituary of Carol A. Gabel

Carol A. Gabel, age 89, originally of Philadelphia, PA, passed away peacefully on January 29, 2024. Carol most recently resided in Garnet Valley for the past 6 months.

Born to John Joseph and Clare Louise Busheck Hennessey in Philadelphia, PA, Carol was raised in Berlin, NJ before moving to northeast Philadelphia where she married the late Charles Patrick Gabel (deceased September 1988). 

Carol is survived by two children, Charles Patrick "Rick" (Carrie) Gabel Jr. and Susan Marie (Jim) Fallon, five grandchildren, Matthew and Ellen Gabel, and Shane, Jeremy, and Samantha Fallon, 3 sisters, Janis Slavin, Irene (Earnest) DiBartoloneo, Barbara (Bruce) Kohler and 1 brother, James (Rose) Hennessey. She was 1 of 13 children. 

Carol graduated from Camden Catholic high school in Camden, NJ graduating in 1954 and shortly after chose a life serving God by joining the Dominican Retreat Home in Elkins Park, PA where she studied and lived for five years to become a nun. She left the convent and began a career teaching at St. Lawrence Catholic School in Lindenwood, NJ. Upon moving to Northeast Philadelphia, she began working at 30th Street train station and then Mobile Oil as a key puncher. Later in life, she spent 20 years proudly working at the Original Philadelphia Pretzel Factory on Frankfort Avenue up to the age of 72. She took great pride in her work at the Pretzel Factory, spending her time meeting and getting to know the people in the neighborhood.

Carol was a big sports fan and especially enjoyed watching the Philadelphia Eagles and Notre Dame football. She was an active participant at the Juniata Park Older Adult Center in Philadelphia, PA where she served as Vice President. During her time there, she helped prepare Meals on Wheels and could be found organizing and playing bingo and Pokeno. Carol always had a smile on her face and made everyone around her feel special. Up until her last year of life, Carol remained active and enjoyed bus trips to the mall where she would walk for exercise. She had a very active social life and enjoyed spending time with her friends and family.

A visitation will be held on Friday, February 2, 2024 from 3:00 to 4:00 with a service officiated by Pastor Eric Koehler starting at 4:00 p.m. at Pagano Funeral Home, 3711 Foulk Rd, Garnet Valley, PA 19060. Following the service, friends and family are invited to the home of Rick and Carrie Gabel, 1064 Ryans Run, Garnet Valley, PA 19060. Donations in Carol's name may be made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (www.bcrf.org). Online condolences may be made by visiting www.paganofuneralhome.com.