Kathleen Sellena Gabel, “Kathy”, passed away peacefully at the age of 71, at her home in Florida, surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Fort Hood, TX, on June 29, 1953, she was the youngest child and only daughter of Donald Eugene and Sellena Kate Wilkins. She grew up in a military family, which was something she held reverent. As a child, she knew that being the daughter of a senior enlisted official meant her behavior was a reflection of his rank, which she held in great esteem. She told many stories of growing up on base, the love and antics of her older brothers. She recalled her childhood with fondness and love, and enjoyed many activities especially Girl Scouts with her mother.

She began her career as an administrative professional in 1971, working for the Defense Intelligence Agency. While working in Washington, D.C. she met her former husband and father to her children, Larry Kilmer. His Naval career took her across the country to California, later returning to the East coast in 1978. In 1979, she welcomed her first son months before moving to Palm Bay, Florida. A year and a half later she welcomed her second son. Although she accomplished a great many things in her life, but she was always a “Mom first".

She was a very dedicated parent spending countless hours volunteering at Palm Bay Elementary School, serving as a Den Leader for Cub Scouts, and coaching her sons’ soccer teams. Her involvement in her sons lives was a testament to her love for them. She loved taking her boys across the country to explore different destinations and visiting family along the way. During this time, she also owned her own typing firm. Two of her most beloved professional projects were her contributions to the Turkey Creek Sanctuary and her work with the Marine Resources Council to establish the Indian River Lagoon as a National Estuary.

She worked at L3 Harris for 8 years, during which time she met and married her best friend, and the love of her life, Jim Gabel. She couldn’t stop smiling the day they married, and she carried that smile the rest of her days with him. Their union would lead to many years of adventures, friendships and happy travels. They moved to Roanoke, VA in 1999, where she retired from Yokohama Tire Co in 2013. She loved her time at Yokohama and spoke fondly and often of her co-workers. After her retirement, she and Jim relocated to Arizona where they met many new friends and explored the West for a few years, before returning to PalmBay. Regardless of where they called home, they never missed their annual trips to Jamaica to see their friends.

Kathy was a truly loving person, and her love completely enveloped those around her with a warmth and sincerity that’s hard to describe. She was intelligent, and extremely talented in many areas. She enjoyed crafting, decorating, and loved baking sweet treats for others. She truly loved bringing happiness to people’s lives, whether that was noticing someone who needed a new blanket, or a listening ear and long hug, without ever needing to be asked. While her son was serving overseas, she organized a group that made quilts for injured service members. She loved her family more than anything in the world, and try as she might, she could never stop worrying about them. During her twenties she enjoyed riding dirtbikes around the once wooded Tyson’s Corner outside of Washington DC, and that sense of adventure never left her. She was also the ultimate hostess, thinking of every possible thing her guests might enjoy. Her smile was bright and warm extenuated by her incredible sense of humor. She was vivid, beautiful and authentic. With strength, grit and wisdom she approached everything in her life with true determination, positivity and integrity.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Sellena Wilkins; and her brother Larry Wilkins. Kathy is survived by her loving husband, JimGabel; sons Lance Kent (Polly) Kilmer of Atlanta, GA; Kyle Eugene Kilmer of Denver, CO; brother Gary (Pamela) of New Smyrna Beach, FL; sister-in-law Linda (Larry) Wilkins of Winchester, VA, nieces Theresa and Tracy, along with great nieces/nephews and many friends.

In honor of her wishes, there will be no funeral and a private celebration of life for her family will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may bemade to Turkey Creek Sanctuary at https://turkeycreek.org/donations-andstore/ols/categories/general-donation

Memorial Keepers (2)

Kathleen "Kathy" Sellena Gabel