Obituary of Ruth E. Gabriel

Ruth E. Gabriel, of 301 West Henley Street, Brookside Community, passed away Tuesday, February 10, 2015, at the Olean General Hospital. Ruth was born on June 16, 1923 in Bradford, PA and was a daughter of Herbert G. and Florence Wormer Ayers. On May 29, 1974 at St. Joseph's Church in Olean she married her husband of 22 years, Thomas G. Gabriel, who predeceased her on April 27, 1997. Ruth moved to Olean in March of 1957 from Bradford and began working at the Olean General Hospital where she remained for 40 years. The first 38 years was spent in the business office and the last 2 years in the former OGH Credit Union. Ruth was a member of St. Joseph Maronite Church. Ruth is survived by a loving daughter, C. Sue (Lynn) Nelson of East Freedom, PA; four stepchildren, Thomas C. (Mary) Gabriel, David Gabriel, Debbie (James) Zawlsky, all of Olean, and Diane (Richard) Greene of Tyler, TX; eleven grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; five great great grandchildren; several nieces & nephews; two special friends, former sister-in-law, Joan Ayers Firkel and her former daughter-in-law, Georgia Dick; and her extended family at Brookside whom she loved dearly. Along with her loving husband, Ruth was predeceased by a son, David Ayers; a daughter, Nancy Phillips; a sister, Gertrude Rosenhoover; five brothers, Herbert Jr., Leslie, Lewis, Hugh W., and William (Beverly) Ayers; and two granddaughters, JoEllen Bergeron & Lori Moreski. Friends are invited to a Memorial Liturgy on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015 at 10:00 am in the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc. 646 E. State Street, Olean. Deacon Richard Matthews will officiate. Burial will be in the St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany. In lieu of flowers memorial may be made to the Brookside Neighbors Association or to St. Joseph Church or to the charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences may be made by clicking on the button above.