Gabrielle "Gabe" Sixta

She was born June 13, 1927 to George Barry Hawkins and Gabrielle Moylan Hawkins on the Island of Guernsey. Her family moved to England, where she eventually met her husband, Rudy, an American soldier, during WW II. After the war, they settled in the Kansas City area, living with family in Kansas City, Kansas until they moved to the Veterans Housing Project in Penn Valley Park. They built their first home in St. Louis Parish and their last in South Kansas City. Gabe was a stay-at-home mom until her children were grown. She then learned to drive and went to work for K-Mart. One of her greatest joys was traveling. She enjoyed many cruises, and trips throughout the U.S. and overseas with her family, and later in life, with her dear sister, Anne.

Gabe was a kind and generous lady who never met a stranger. People loved her instantly because she showed a genuine interest in them. In her later years, when she couldn’t get out and visit, people came to visit her, and she learned to communicate by Skype, Facebook and email to keep in touch with family and friends around the world. She was an avid reader and kept up-to-date on all the latest national and international news.

Gabe is survived by her daughter, Mary Jo Robards and friend, Ron Jacobsen; her son, David Sixta (Mary Ann); Annette Como (Vince); son, Paul Sixta; daughter, Lisa Preston; daughter, Michelle Sixta (Daniel Jacob); daughter, Suzanne Zumot; son, Timothy Sixta; 18 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; her sister, Anne Barkel and her daughter, Claire and her family. She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Rudy Sixta; son, Rudy Sixta, Jr.; son, John Joseph; daughter, Jane.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm, with a Celebration of Life at 4:30, Sunday, November 16, 2014 at McGilley State Line Chapel. Burial will be in Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth, Kansas at 2:30 pm on Tuesday, November 25, 2014. In lieu of flowers, it was Gabe’s wish that memorial contributions be made to Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care, 1500 Meadowlake Pkwy, Suite 200, KCMO 64114. The family thanks KC Hospice for the loving care Gabe received both in her home and in Hospice House. Condolences and fond memories may be shared online at www.mcgilleystateline chapel.com. Arrangements, McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO 64145.