Dorothy J. Gabrielson

Dorothy June Gabrielson passed away at the Golden Pond Memory Care unit on March 5, 2016. She was born to Frederick and Sophia Lebsock in Lakewood, Colorado. She was the middle of three sisters with Jane Lebsock Habel being the oldest and MaryLou Lebsock Colby the youngest. Dorothy graduated from Lakewood High School where she met her first husband, Richard O. Enders. They were married in 1945 after his service in the United States Navy during WWII. During her marriage to Richard Enders, Dorothy became the loving mother of two children: Richard, born in 1946 and Vicki born in 1949. Richard and Dorothy were divorced in 1956, and Dorothy became a working, single mother until she married the love of her life, Daniel A. Gabrielson on Valentine's Day in 1959. Dan brought his two children into the union: Jeff, born in 1947 and Joan born in 1951. Dan and Dorothy remained happily married until his death in June of 2015. Dan and Dorothy traveled extensively after his retirement. Together they toured Greece, Africa, Egypt, Japan, Holland, the Netherlands and the inland waterways of Canada. While calling Colorado home, they also vacationed at their condo in Guaymas, Mexico and spent winters in their home in Sierra Vista, Arizona. Dan was a successful businessman, and Dorothy his dedicated partner. She also volunteered as a Gray Lady at Lutheran Hospital and transcribed books into Braille for the blind. Dorothy enjoyed traveling, working with ceramics, gardening, water color painting, and could always play a mean game of cards. In 2015, one of Dorothy's water color paintings was selected for the Alzheimer's Association Memories in the Making event*. These painting enrichment sessions were the highlight of Dorothy's week, and she loved talking about them. It always brought that glowing smile to her face. Dorothy was the proud Grandmother of Jodi Dodge, Tyler Enders and James Hatcher, and was Great-Grandmother to Gabriel Dodge, Taylor Dodge, Nathan Enders, Tristan Enders, Aurelia Enders, Isaiah Hatcher, Jacob Hatcher and Micah Hatcher. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents Fred and Sophia Lebsock, her sisters Jane and Mary Lou, and her husband Dan. A private memorial reception was held for family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a Memorial Contribution in honor of Dorothy J. Gabrielson to the Alzheimer's Association in their fight to save our cherished memories. Donations can be made at http://www.alz.org or mailed to their National Office at 225 N. Michigan Ave., Flr 17, Chicago, IL 60601. *Memories In The Making is a creative art expression program for individuals with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias. Even after people with dementia have lost the ability to use words, they are often able to express their thoughts and emotions and share memories through painting with watercolors. The experience offers an opportunity for the essence of who they are and what they care about to shine through. Beautiful artwork is created by those with memory impairment in more than 90 Memories In the Making art classes held weekly throughout Colorado. A jury of professional artists select only a handful of the submitted works for auction that is then professionally framed for display at the annual memories In the Making art show and auction. Please share your memories of Dorothy and condolences with her family by signing the guestbook below.