Vivian "Mardell" Gabel

Vivian Mardell Gabel, or Mardell to her family and friends, was born on March the 16th, 1938 in Tahlequah, OK, the daughter of Hartsell Wadkins and Elva Hendricks. Although she was an only child, her beloved cousins Nita Sue Barnes and Jerry McNiel were very much her brother and sister. They enjoyed growing up in a community where everyone knew everyone and friendships lasted a lifetime. She played in the band in high school and sang in the choir. In spite of being quiet and shy, she had a beautiful smile and made friends easily. College days began at Northeastern State University, and Mardell was the Freshman Class Queen and one of the Cherokee Maidens. It was at this event a handsome young man, Thomas Lee Gabel, fell head over heels in love with his “Cherokee Maiden.” They were united in Holy Matrimony on May 29th, 1958 in Wagoner, OK, at Holy Cross Catholic Church. This union witnessed 64 years of love, happiness, precious memories, and five children. Thomas Lee Gabel was a teacher and coach by profession and Mardell’s worked as a teacher’s assistant, and cherished working with students with special needs. In the early 1980’s, she began working at Crooked Oak Public Schools as the high school secretary, finally retiring from here in 1998. Her patience and her smile were constant, as was her love for every child and grandchild she held in her arms. She always said she never had five kids, she had 255 kids, and every child in the school knew Ms. Mardell was looking out for their best interest and cared about each one of them. She liked to put on a large pot of chili and feed the crew, play the piano when she had spare time, and never missed the chance to show support for her children and grandchildren, no matter the event or their role in it. Her sweet smile and servants heart were seen daily followed by her morning “Hello”, to everyone she came in contact with. It was her way. She loved time spent with her husband and together they lived life to its fullest. In her youth, she had been a member of the Presbyterian Church of Tahlequah. She remained a Christian all of her lifetime. The Lord called this wise and wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend for all home from her many labors on January 8th, 2023 in Shawnee, OK. Mardell was 84 years old and leaves many lives she touched with her gentle and understanding heart.

She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Rufus and Susie (Stanley) Hendricks and her mother and father. She also joins her “cousin like a brother, “Jerry McNiel as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Those left to cherish her memory include her beloved husband Thomas Lee of the home and her five children, Stanley Lee Gabel and wife Jimmie of round Rock, TX, Andrea Dell Gabel of Shawnee, OK, Annette O’Connor and husband Mike of Perkins, OK, Amanda Chapman and husband David of Shawnee, OK, and Amberlee Jo Spaeth and husband Brian of Choctaw, OK. She also leaves her Cousin, Nita Sue Barnes of Tahlequah, OK. Vivian lives on in her 13 grandchildren, Brooke Rendon and husband John of New Braunfels, TX, Thomas Gabel and wife Ashley of Pflugerville, TX, Jack Gabel of San Marcos, TX, Sonny Gabel of Round Rock, TX, Abbie Morris and companion Dion Robinson of Shawnee, OK, Aubrie Morris and companion, Tre Lewis of Meeker, OK, Canida Hood and husband Walker of Hulbert, OK, Elizabeth Chapman of Tulsa, Gaige Chapman of Shawnee, OK, Alyssa Spaeth of Moore, OK, Tyler McKinney of Choctaw, OK, Annabelle McKinney of Choctaw, OK, and Christopher Spaeth of Choctaw, OK. There are also four great grandchildren, Garrett Wade Lewis of Meeker, OK, Hestin Lee Lewis of Meeker, OK, Amyiah Robinson of Shawnee, OK, Faith Robinson of Shawnee, OK, and a new baby soon to join the family, David Keith Stowell Hood, as well as many cousins and students whose lives were made better because Ms. Mardell had a servant's heart.

Funeral services for Vivian “Mardel”l Gabel will be held on Friday, January 13th, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Reed-Culver Funeral Home with Brother David Chapman officiating. Her family will have a visitation beginning in the morning at 9:00 AM until service time. Vivian will be laid to rest at Hendricks Cemetery with her family. Pallbearers for Mardell include Stan Gabel, Thomas Gabel, Jack Gabel, Sonny Gabel, Tyler McKinney, Christopher Spaeth, and Gaige Chapman.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.reedculver.com for the Gabel family.