Virginia Lee Gabelein

Virginia Lee Gabelein, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully in her sleep and went on to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 15, 2023. Virginia was born on June 11, 1940, in Bridgeport, Connecticut to Mr. and Mrs. John M. Fluke, Sr. She was the oldest of three children, including John M. Fluke, Jr., and David L. Fluke. In 1952, the family moved from Connecticut to Seattle, Washington. She attended Ballard High School where she graduated in 1958. After High School, she attended Pacific Lutheran University for two years and subsequently graduated from the University of Washington in 1962 with a bachelor’s degree in music education and organ performance. She also earned her teaching certificate and taught at Denny High School where she met her husband, Roger F. Gabelein. They were married on October 4, 1963, and settled down in the North end of Seattle, Washington and had three children: Kevin, Michael, and Jonathan.

Virginia developed a passion early on in high school for playing the organ and directing church choirs. She served as church organist for Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church in Seattle during her college years. In 1968, she became choir director and organist for Trinity Methodist Church in Seattle and served in that capacity for many years. We definitely cannot forget her most beautiful and powerful singing ability. She also possessed other incredible talents including drawing and doing the scenery, staging and paintings for Roger’s high school concerts and completely overhauling birthday cards in her artistic manner to make them just right for her children and grandchildren.

Virginia impacted in some loving way; everyone she met. She would always try to find the good in everyone and focus on that. If she knew you, you were instantly her friend for life. If you were family, that bond was unbreakable.

Above all, she possessed a superhuman love a wife and mother could ever have for her husband, her children, and grandchildren. Virginia’s love and giving of herself knew no bounds, it knew no depths, and her love knew no limits. Her family was her life. She adored and lived for her family and everywhere she went, she displayed the love of Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior. Her love was shown in small and big ways such as a card or a thoughtful small gift. Most of all, she showed her love in her outsized hugs that she would give you and that you would never forget.

Virginia is survived by her husband of nearly 60 years, Roger Gabelein, her brother John M. Fluke, Jr., her three children, and their wives: Kevin (Brittany), Michael (Deanna), and Jonathan (Nicole) and her five grandchildren, Dillon, Carson, Michael, Olivia, and Beck.

Memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on July 15, 2023, at Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church at 7500 Greenwood Avenue N, Seattle, WA 98103 followed by a reception at the church and a private family graveside service at Acacia Memorial Park, Seattle.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Evergreen-Washelli.com for the Gabelein family.