Carol Suzanne (Hurlbut) Gabelmann

WINSTED — Carol Suzanne (Hurlbut) Gabelmann, 73, of Winsted died July 11, 2010, at home surrounded by her loving family. She was happily married to Maurice “Moe†Gabelmann for 46 years.

Born Dec. 12, 1936, in Hartford, she was the daughter of Ethel M. (Lupien) and Leroy S. Hurlbut. She was a devout Christian and attended the Winchester Center Congregational Church, where she was baptized and married, and she was a member of the Church of Christ, Winsted and Winchester Center Congregational Church.

Mrs. Gabelmann’s early years were spent in West Hartford. She then moved to Derry, N.H., for high school at Pinkerton Academy, graduating in 1954. She attended the University of New Hampshire, receiving her BSW in 1958. She received her Master of Education degree from Central Connecticut State University in 1968.

She moved to Winsted in 1958 and worked as a teacher at East Hartland Elementary, where she taught third grade. Her other teaching endeavors included the Winchester Public School System, teaching third grade and special education; and Pleasant Valley School, teaching first grade.

Mrs. Gabelmann worked as a bookkeeper for the Tributary Restaurant during its early years. One of the jobs she was most passionate about was starting and establishing the Northwest Center Parent Aide Program. She was well-known throughout New England as a champion for the prevention of child abuse.

She also shared her passion for music by teaching piano and organ lessons for children in the Winsted area. She was a former member of Rainbow, earning its highest degree, Cross of Colors. She was a member of the Magnolia Chapter No. 16 OES, the Winsted Club, Litchfield County Hammond Organ Society, Winchester Board of Education (during the rebuilding of Pearson Middle School) and the Red Hat Society. Mrs. Gabelmann was also an integral part of fundraising efforts for the installation of the Olympic-sized pool at the Winsted YMCA. She was an avid Yankees fan and supporter of University of Connecticut basketball.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by a brother, David C. Hurlbut Sr. and his wife, Florine, of Sterling, Mass.; her adoring children, Elisa Beth (Gabelmann) McCabe of Virginia, David Charles Gabelmann and his wife, Tracy, of Torrington, Suzanne Carol (Gabelmann) Prevuznak and her husband, Craig, of Winchester, and a son-in-law, William McCabe Jr. and his wife, Meg, of Springfield, Va.; her cherished grandchildren, Ashley Carolane and William Hunt McCabe Jr. of Springfield, Myera Kim Prevuznak of Winchester and twins Saige Olivia and Keira Elizabeth Gabelmann of Torrington; a brother-in-law, Charles Gabelmann and his wife, Gloria, of Winsted; a sister-in-law, Janice Gabelmann Southworth and her husband, Win, of Torrington; an uncle, Winfred Hurlbut and his wife, Arlene, of Winsted; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, July 30, 11 a.m., at Winchester Center Congregational Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Winchester Center Church, Church of Christ (Building Renovations), or Foothills Visiting Nurse Hospice Care.

Visit an online guestbook at Montano-Shea.com.

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