Gabie was born on October 28th, 1932 in Ventura, California to Audelia and Camerino Garcia. Gabie spent her childhood in Berkeley, CA with her nine brothers and sisters. Gabie believed anything could be achieved with hard work. As a young woman Gabie picked tomatoes and worked at local packing houses to help her family.
Gabie moved to Ventura, CA in 1954 where she met and married Oscar Araiza. They settled in Santa Paula, Ca and in 1959 together they purchased the property where La Cabana continues to be located. Gabie and Oscar had four children, Richard, Ronald, Randal and Karen. While raising her four children Gabie also worked and later retired from the Retail Clerks Union. She worked at Alpha Beta for many years where she met and treasured many of her co-workers as friends until her last days.
While working for Alpha Beta, Gabie and Oscar with the help of Manuel, her older brother, opened La Cabana Restaurant in 1974. Gabie continued to work two jobs while raising her four children.
In 1982, Gabie met and married her current husband James Reeves. Marrying Jim brought her a new child, Juliann. From the time Jim and Gabie were married you would be hard pressed to ever see one without the other. Gabie and Jim traveled, worked, shopped and enjoyed each other’s company for close to 38 years.
Gabie loved God, Family and the Community of Santa Paula as well as the friends she made while running La Cabana. Gabie truly was the face of La Cabana Restaurant, always ready to greet her friends with a smile and hug for over 44 years. It is today the longest currently running family-owned restaurant in Santa Paula.
Gabie was a member of St. Sebastian Catholic Church and served her community as president, officer and/or member of the Santa Paula Planning Commission, Soroptimist International of Santa Paula Club, YLI, Santa Paula Women of History, Chamber of Commerce Board Member, Santa Paula Hospital Foundation, Boys and Girls Club, Santa Clara Valley Hospice, and the SCV Wellness Foundation. Gabie was also very proud to have been selected a Woman of History in 2000, and as the Grand Marshal of the 2016 Santa Paula Christmas Parade. This list does not include the many family and friends that she has helped throughout her lifelong journey.
Gabriella was predeceased by her parents, Audelia and Camerino Garcia. brothers David, Tony, Jessie, Benny and Manuel Garcia and her sister, Mary.
Gabie is survived by and will be dearly missed by her adoring husband James R. Reeves; brother, Larry Garcia; sisters, Sally Cabrera and Francis Quijas. Children and their spouses, Richard (Laura), Ronald (Georgia), Randy (Sonya), Karen (Troyce), Juliann (Art). Grandchildren, Ryan Araiza, Rejina Araiza, Austin Araiza, Sara Araiza, Anthony Araiza, Evan Araiza, Adam Araiza, Tori Thomas, Tylen Thomas, Lukas Reynolds, Heaven, Troi Ann Reynolds, Everett Barkley and Alex Barkley. Gabie is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would also like to thank all her wonderful caregivers, Rosa, Rose, Kathy, Assisted Hospice and all those that helped Gabie live her final years with the dignity and grace she earned and deserved.
Gabriella Garcia Araiza-Reeves will be missed on many levels but the light she has left behind will shine eternally.
Family and friends are invited to Gabie’s services which will be held on Thursday, February 15th. 9:30 Rosary, 10:30 Mass of Christian burial to be held at St. Sebastian church located at 235 North 9th Street, Santa Paula, CA. Burial to follow at Santa Paula Cemetery.
The family asks those that would like to remember Gabie to please donate to a favorite local charity in her name. She loved her community!
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