Darlyne Gabriel

Darlyne Patricia Gabriel, master organizer, homemaker extraordinaire and Diet Coke stockholder, was lovingly taken home into the arms of Jesus and reunited with the love of her life, Jerry, on May 10, 2016. Mama Dar confidently and faithfully made her journey heavenward, leaving a legacy of courage, strength and grace for those who knew and loved her most.


Born in Petersburg, ND on October 16, 1942 to Arthur and Hallie Andrews, Darlyne, the eldest of 3 children, paved the way for her younger brothers, Dale and Rodger. Darlyne was baptized, confirmed and later married in the United Methodist Church in Larimore, ND. Darlyne was known by her friends as a beautiful, smart, fun loving girl who enjoyed cruising around with a handsome boy from Northwood. As her lifelong BFF Clarene fondly recalled, "we weren't the goody-goodies but we weren't the rebels either" adding, "I don't remember the car Jerry drove, but I certainly remember where they parked!" Crowned Larimore High's Homecoming Queen in 1959, Darlyne graduated Valedictorian of her class in 1960. Darlyne went on to attend Aakers Business College where she earned her Associates Degree in bookkeeping.


On June 8, 1962, Darlyne Patricia Andrews proudly became the wife of Gerald Arthur Gabriel. In the early days of their marriage, both Darlyne and Jerry drove gravel truck for Gabriel Construction, making their home in a one-bedroom apartment above Engen's Market. Later known in the trucking world as "Irish", the only thing holding her back from earning her Class A drivers license, was the inability to back-up an 18-wheeler. Jerry affectionately dubbed her "Mrs. G" and together they were the proud parents of two daughters, Barbara Jean and Catherine Jo. Jerry and Darlyne made their life together in Northwood, ND where she single-handedly managed Jerry's growing trucking business, kept a tidy ship at home, all the while painting ceramics, sewing, canning, knitting, leading troops of rowdy Girl Scouts and keeping truck drivers in line. In her spare time she loved to bowl, play Bridge and shop with the women of her Birthday Club. On May 25th,1983 Darlyne's life was forever changed when her husband was unexpectedly called home. Despite the loss of her high school sweetheart, Darlyne eventually went on to work full time at Wayne Davis Jewelers, where she enjoyed new friendships and lots of new sparkly jewelry.


Every book has a chapter that we'd like to tear out and crumple up. Darlyne titled hers "The Biggest Mistake of My Life" and with a sense of humor and determined spirit, she put this period of time behind her and rebuilt a life in Arizona that was filled with good friends, a new job and much to her delight, a growing family. Her family humorously refers to this chapter as "always get a pre-nup and a background check". Enough said. PS.... This one's for you, Mom.