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Classmate, Mary Ann Gabel, passed away on September 1, 2021. She is survived by: Joseph Gabel (Shannon), Angela, Rose Mary Isaac (Ernie), and Daniel Gabel (Tammy), in addition to 17 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 7th, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Mary Church (3601 SW 17th St., Topeka, KS 66604). A rosary will be held on Tuesday, September 7th, at 6:00 pm, at the same location. A mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, September 8th, at 10:00 am, at the same location.
Instead of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Midland Care Hospice, Disabled American Veterans, or Helping Hands Humane Society. Send in care of Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Rd., Topeka, KS 66614.
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Elisha Bernard Hurd
About the time Brown v. Board of Education was to take effect, many of us who were scheduled to begin Junior High were not affected by the decision since the Junior Highs were integrated. I met Mary Ann subsequent to our mutual entry into East Topeka Junior High. She became a cheerleader, involved in school activities and student government. Mary Ann was scholastically competitive in spelling bees and other school activities which is how we became friends. Since Topeka High opened us all to a much larger group, I don’t recall many high school activities. Upon my return to Topeka after military service, we resumed our friendship. Mary Ann was still the energetic individual she had been in school. She was still a leader, motivator and organizer, calling past students together for junior high reunions, fiestas, and to attend homegoings for deceased teachers. My wife and I had occasion to visit Mary Ann in her home before “Eddy P.”passed, as well as after his passing. She hosted the watch party for my one foray into politics. Mary Ann asked me to officiate at her mother’s homegoing which was an honor. Mary Ann and her family attended worship services at the church I pastor on occasion. When visits were fewer as we got older, we traded emails and she would bring me up-to-date as to the status of her grandchildren and Angie. Soon the emails were few and I wished Mary Ann happy birthday when prompted by the Topeka High information line, which did not excite her at all. I will miss our friendship of 60 plus years. She was a true friend.
Sharon K. Weber (Scarbrough)
Thank you Bernard for posting this. I couldn't get mine to post yesterday.
Mary Ann and I connected back up 3 or 4 years ago and started playing cards with the group in Dover with another classmate, Sheryl Johnson Cairns. We had reminiscing about THS and things that happened while we were there. She was a joy to be around and all of us in the card group will miss her.