Gabrielle “Gaby” Keeler

On December 5, 2022, the world lost a bright light with the passing of Gabrielle “Gaby” Keeler, age 75, of Wayne, NJ. Gaby was born in San Mateo, CA. She was one of three daughters to John Roy and Doris May Higgins (nee Reidy). Her father’s work with the FBI and later in advertising moved their family around the country; Gaby and her family eventually settled in West Caldwell, New Jersey where she attended James Caldwell High School and graduated in 1965. Gaby then attended St Mary’s College in South Bend, IN, the sister school to the University of Notre Dame. She later attended the Katherine Gibbs School and William Paterson University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting. Gaby’s career as an Executive Assistant spanned many companies and industries including Eastman Dillon & Co., US Steel, Yellow Freight and the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest NJ.

Gaby was an active member of her community. She served on the board of directors for United Givers Plan of Packanack Lake, was president of the Packanack Lake Leisure Club, a former member of the Packanack Lake Board of Governors, and a member of the legendary Dominoes book club for 20 years. She was an avid reader who enjoyed best-selling novels as well as researching anything and everything. Gaby also loved to travel the world, enjoying destinations such as Italy, England, Scotland, Ireland, Russia, France, Greece, Wales, Australia, and anywhere in the Caribbean where a cruise ship would take her. In recent years, Gaby and Paul vacationed in St Pete Beach, FL, during the winter months. She also enjoyed exercising, especially yoga and walking. Every morning, Gaby could be found with friends walking around Packanack Lake.

Gaby was known by everyone who met her as being social, outgoing, and engaging; making friends wherever she went. She never met a stranger and never forgot a name or a face. Gaby’s friendships were many and her devotion to those friends was always evident.

It was clear to everyone, though, that her greatest passion in life was for her family. Gaby met her husband Paul Keeler on a blind date on New Year’s Eve 1969 and after dating for two years they were married on August 28, 1971; Gaby and Paul cherished fifty-one years of marriage together. They lived in Saddle Brook briefly before moving to Packanack Lake, where they lived for the next 50 years. Gaby and Paul had two children: Laura and John. Along with being a loving wife and mother, Gaby was a loving and devoted GG (Grandma Gaby) to Finn and Teagan, John and his wife Sabrina’s two boys. Nothing in the world meant more to Gaby than spending time with her husband, sisters, children, and grandchildren.

Gaby is survived by her husband Paul E. Keeler, Jr. of Wayne, NJ; daughter Laura Anne Keeler of Washington, DC; son John Paul Keeler, daughter-in-law Sabrina, and grandsons Finnegan Paul Keeler and Teagan Martin Keeler of Ardmore, PA; two sisters Patricia Higgins (and her husband Francis Ferraro) of St Petersburg, FL, and Candace Higgins of Colorado Springs, CO; two nieces Jennifer and Barbara; and four nephews David, Brian, Thomas and James.

Gaby will be remembered fondly by those who knew her best – family members will miss her dearly but take comfort knowing that she is now reunited with those who have gone before her.

Donations in Gaby’s name may be made to the United Givers Plan of Packanack Lake, PO Box 1835, Wayne, NJ, 07474-1835 www.packanacklake.com