Shirley Jean Gabel

Of Silverdale

April 18, 1942

To July 3, 2014

On July 3, 2014, surrounded by her loving family, Shirley Jean (Lehr) Gabel lost her courageous battle with cancer.

Shirley was born April 18, 1942, in Roscoe, South Dakota, to Henry Lehr and Edwina (Sepp) Lehr. She grew up in Stratford, South Dakota, and attended Warner High School, graduating in 1960. Shirley married Jack Lee Gabel on November 3, 1961, and this year would be their 53rd anniversary. After they were first married, Shirley and Jack worked on the Gabel family farm for a couple of years, before moving to Bremerton, Washington, where Jack entered into the apprenticeship program at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.

In 1976, Jack and Shirley moved to Silverdale, Washington, and built the beautiful and spacious two-story home on five acres, that they would live in for the next 30-plus years. Shirley was fortunate enough to live across the street from her job, at Clear Creek Elementary School, where she worked as a Food Service Professional for Central Kitsap School District, for over 25 years.

Shirley loved the outdoors and could often be found outside, tending to her numerous flowers and plants, or camping with her husband and family at some of their favorite beachside locations throughout the Olympic Peninsula. She absolutely loved to take long walks on the beach, several times a day. Shirley was an advocate of animals and had many pets during her 72 years, including cats, dogs and horses. She also loved the resident wildlife that lived around her home and would often photograph or film the curious raccoons and squirrels that felt comfortable enough to come close to her house. Shirley was her son and grandsons’ best cheerleader, attending all of their sporting events throughout the years. Shirley and Jack enjoyed returning to South Dakota, to visit their large, extended family, as well as vacationing during the winter in sunny Arizona, living the “snow-bird” lifestyle for the last few years of Shirley’s life.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, an infant brother James Henry, her nephew Joel Vance, and her grandson Alexander Lahti.

She is survived by her devoted husband Jack; her son Jeffrey (and wife Colleen) Gabel of Belfair; her daughter Susan Gabel of Bremerton; her sister Judy (and husband Larry) Mann of Port Orchard; her brothers’ Donald Lehr of Aberdeen, South Dakota; Lyman Lehr of Henderson, Nevada; Deforrest (and wife Dorothy) Lehr of Minneapolis; Minnesota; her grandsons’ Shane Gabel and Donnell Johnson; her nephew James Vance; as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

At her request, there will be no funeral service for Shirley, but donations may be made in Shirley’s name to the Hospice Care Center of Kitsap County, or to the Kitsap County Humane Society.

Shirley will always be deeply loved and appreciated by all of her family and friends, and it is a blessing to know we have such a beautiful, loving angel watching over us. We will forever cherish her in our hearts and her love and strength will be ever-present in our own journeys through life.