Gabrielle "Gaby" Harnois Woodside Obituary (1921 - 2014)

Portland-Gabrielle {Gaby} Harnois Woodside passed away on November 20, 2014 surrounded by her loving family at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine. Aunt Gaby, as she was known by all, was born on June 27, 1921 in Westbrook, Maine to Theodora (Brunelle) and Raymond Harnois. She was the first of three children and predeceased by her siblings George H. Harnois and Madeline H. {Boswell} Simpson. Gaby was married to Albion K.P. Woodside in 1960. She resided with her husband in Cape Elizabeth until his death on Christmas morning 1973. Gaby then moved to Portland where she lived at the Portlander Hotel. From there she could easily visit her mother who resided at 75 State Street. Gaby and her friends (Elinore, Helen, Madeline, Mary and Kay) were soon regulars at DiMillos Floating Restaurant. Laughter, singing and dancing made them welcome patrons throughout the next 15 years. After her mothers death in 1987, Gabrielle moved to South Portland with her nephew and niece, Steven and Nancy Harnois, and their four children. Her in-law apartment soon became known as Gabys Blue Heaven. In this home Gaby nurtured, rocked, and helped raise her grand-nieces and nephews. These children were fortunate to have The Gabe in their lives. Not only did she love them, but she entertained them and their friends. She became Aunt Gaby to many of the kids at Holy Cross, St. Patricks, McAuley and Cheverus High Schools. She sang, danced, and laughed her way into the hearts of many attending athletic events, camp parties, theater productions or teenage gatherings throughout the area. Michele, Brian, John, and Elizabeth and all of their friends laughed their way through the stories and the loving antics of Aunt Gaby. But it did not end there. The next generation would also benefit from her fun loving ways. Great, grandnieces Olivia Porch and Emelia Lehr, and great grandnephew Isaac Oleksyk-Harnois would be born into the loving arms of their Aunt Gaby and share in the fun with their giggles and candy treats. Whether on the boat at camp or in South Portland there were good times to be had by all. Even after Gaby moved to St. Josephs Rehabilitation Center and Residence in Portland at 90 years old there was singing, laughter, and new people joining the Aunt Gaby fan club. Our family thanks all the staff and residents of St. Joes for their friendship and support. Gaby participated in every activity that Laura and Brad could organize. There were never enough bingo games, outings and trips to Oxford Casino. There were also many Masses, Art classes and performances. Everything was good and everyone was cool. The family thanks Laura for herspecial interest in Aunt Gaby that helped makeher stay at St. Josephs so much more enjoyable. Gaby is survived by her sister-in-law Lucille Harnois ; her niece, Sharon Boswell and partner, Lisa Yamonaco ; nephews Steven Harnois and his wife Nancy; Brad Harnois and his wife Adele; and their families Michele and husband, Jason Lehr; Brian Harnois and his wife, Whitney;, John, SarahMarie, and Elizabeth Harnois ; Olivia Porch, Emelia Lehr and Isaac Oleksyk-Harnois; and special friend Alex Harper. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, December 18, 2014 from 4:00 to 8:00pm at the Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway. Prayers will be recited at 10:15am at the funeral home on Friday, December 19, 2014 followed by an 11:00am Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Cross Church, 124 Cottage Road, South Portland. Burial will follow at Brooklawn Memorial Park, 2002 Congress St., Portland, ME. Online condolences may be expressed at www.ctcrawford.com