Gabrielle S. George Obituary (1923 - 2011)

WATERVILLE Gabrielle Sadie George, 88, of Waterville died peacefully Tuesday, November 8, 2011, surrounded by her family. She was born in Augusta, May 27, 1923 the daughter of Achille and Clara Trepanier. She was educated in Augusta and graduated from Cony High School in 1941. She married Elias George on September 3, 1950. They shared nearly 55 wonderful years together raising their five daughters and working side by side in the family business. Following graduation from high school, Gabrielle worked at The State House in Augusta as a secretary and bookkeeper. After marrying Elias, the two, along with Elias' brother Tom, and his wife, Ida, worked in the family grocery and bakery business, which later transformed into "Sittoo George's" restaurant and catering. They grew and supported the business for over 40 years and it became a favorite eatery in Waterville. Although she came from a French background, Gabby also learned to prepare all the Lebanese specialties from her mother-in-law. Customers especially enjoyed Gabby's delicious baklava. Gabby was a communicant of St. Joseph's Maronite Catholic Church where she was a member of The Maronite Guild. She enjoyed cooking, reading, and laughing with her friends in her sewing and bridge clubs. However, Gabby found her greatest joy was taking care of her family. Her gentle patience and soft spoken guidance were cherished by all who knew her. Her kind, sweet demeanor brought out the best in others. Her proudest memory of her glory days was playing left wing on the Cony High School State Championship field hockey team in 1939, 1940, and 1941. Go Rams! She is survived by her five daughters, Carol George of Winslow, Colleen George and her partner, Piper Foreso, of North Hampton, Mass., Debra Coffill and her husband Joseph, of Lawrence Mass., Charlene George of Waltham, Mass., and Sharon Walsh and her husband, Brian, of Westbrook; seven grandchildren Jessica, Joseph, Emily and Stephanie Coffill of Lawrence, Mass., and Maryellen Walsh of South Boston, Mass., Patrick Walsh of Hoboken, NJ, and Kathryn Walsh of Westbrook; two great-grandchildren, Elias and Abigail Coffill of Lawrence, Mass.; her sister in-law, Ida Karter George; her brother in-law Richard Hinkley, and by many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is predeceased by her husband, her parents, her brothers, Romeo, Philip, Achille, and Edward Trepanier; her sisters, Eva St. Pierre, Yvette Beaulieu, Bertha Hinkley, and Lorraine Robertson. Friends and relatives may call from 3-6 p.m. Friday, November 11, at Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, November, 12 at St. Joseph's Maronite Catholic Church, Front Street, Waterville, with Rev. Larry Jensen officiating and Rev. Mr. Peter Joseph assisting. Committal Prayers will follow in St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, Grove Street, Waterville. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to St. Joseph's Maronite Catholic Church, 3 Appleton St., Waterville, ME 04901. Condolences may be expressed at www.gallantfh.com.