Sister Joan Gabel, CHM, (Sister Mary Georgene), 80, died Monday, April 30, 2012 at Bishop Drumm Retirement Center, Johnston, IA. Funeral was May 5 at Humility of Mary Center, Davenport. Burial is in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Davenport.
Joan Rita Gabel was born to Elmer George and Mary (Hughes) Gabel on January 1, 1932 in Chicago, IL. On January 6, 1951 she entered the Congregation of the Humility of Mary (CHM), professing vows on July 29, 1953. She received a BA in Elementary Education from Marycrest College, Davenport, IA and an MA in Theology from Xavier University, Chicago, IL.
Sister Joan taught in elementary schools in Iowa, Minnesota and Mississippi, including St. Alphonsus, Davenport and Our Lady of Lourdes, Bettendorf. She did pastoral ministry and religious education in Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa, Toluca, El Paso and Litchfield, Illinois and Kokomo, Indiana. She also guided new members entering the CHM community. Sister Joan was a caring person who maintained a lively interest in current theological reflections. Family was important to her and she researched and wrote about the family history.
Sister was preceded in death by her parents, brother Joseph, and sisters Cecilia “Cele” Lydon and Elizabeth “Bette” Folliard. She is survived by a sister-in-law, Blanche Gabel, many nieces and nephews, as well as CHM Sisters and Associates.
Memorials may be made to the Congregation of the Humility of Mary.
Online remembrances and condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting Sr. Joan’s obituary at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.
