Gabriella Joplin

She was born the 18th of November in San Vincenzo, in the heart of Tuscany, Italy to Giuseppe Agus, a captain of the Carabinieri, and Iolanda Masi, a beautiful, loving lady, gifted with an angelic voice. Her family moved to Florence and, at an early age, Gabriella showed great athletic talents, competing in track and field events throughout Italy. She was also known for her acting and comedic skills, organizing shows for her young friends that were very popular, singing and dancing to cheer them up during the dark days of World War II. She left Italy to marry Mark Harris, but became a widow at an early age. It was in London that she met the love of her life, Jack Joplin, who proposed to her one month after their first meeting. They were married in 1976 and traveled and danced their way through married life.

An elegant lady, she was one in a million. Gabriella was a proud member since 1986 of the Donne Di Domani, an association of Italian-American women, famous for their marinara sauce and charitable works.

She was predeceased by her parents; stepfather Gastone Taddei; brother Ettore Agus; and sister-in-law Anna. She is survived by her husband Jack Joplin; daughter Jane Tabbah and husband Rawi; granddaughters Stephanie Tabbah, and Jacqueline Turano and husband Jack; sister Stella Ortolani and husband Sergio; niece Fulvia Annunziati, husband Andrea and son Riccardo; nephew Gianluca Agus, wife Carla and sons Simone and Leonardo; brothers-in-law William F. Joplin and wife Jane and William Boy.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at 1:00 PM at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 6622 Haskell Street, Houston, Texas 77007. A reception will follow in the church hall. A private entombment will be held at Memorial Oaks Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes can be made to Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart in honor of Gabriella.