Gabriella McEnaney

Heaven gained another angel. On April 21st, Gabriella McEnaney lovingly known as Gabi passed away at the age of 73 years young at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta. She grew her wings and flew off to heaven while holding her kids hands. 

Gabi is survived by her children Gabriella Dupré (René, spouse) and László Márki. Besides her children, she is survived by her siblings László Mathé, Alex Mathé, Katalin Ross (Timm, spouse), and her grandchildren Josette (Taylor, spouse), Brigette, Suzette, Dylan, and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends that became family. 

Gabi is preceded by her parents Gabriella Mathé Borbás and Sándor Mathé and also her husbands András Márki and Kenneth McEnaney. 

Gabi was born in Sopron, Hungary and immigrated to America in 1957. She graduated from Miami High in 1968 and pursued her love of Cosmetology. Graduating top of her class, her beehive was the bees knees. She later traded in her beehive or her trademark red lipstick and red nail polish. 

Gabi spent her youth Hungarian folk dancing and representing the Hungarian Center Kossuth Hall in Miami, Florida. Her selfless nature and unwavering need to help others continued through the years as she dedicated her free time to volunteering at several VFW Posts. 

One of Gabi's passions was painting with her acrylics. There was not a Bob Ross technique that she hadn't mastered. What fed her soul was feeding others. Whether it was a meal for a friend in need or a wedding for a family member, Gabi was more than willing to put on an apron and lend a hand. In the 1980's Gabi owned a restaurant on Merritt Island, Florida called the Old Europe Inn where she served up the most delicious Hungarian cuisine. You could smell the paprika from miles around. 

When Gabi wasn't painting, cooking, baking, crafting, and raising her kids she made good use of her passport, traveling the world. She loved learning about other cultures and traditions. One of her favorite memories was riding a camel in Morocco. 

Gabi had a friendly smile and an infectious laugh that would bring joy to anyone around her. She was known for walking into a room of strangers and leaving with all of them as family. Before you knew it, you were playing backgammon or canasta with her and losing but begging to play again. Gabi's favorite pass time with her grandchildren was Wii bowling. 

Gabi leaves behind a legacy of kindness, enjoyment of life, and the love of Hungarian traditions that will be carried on for generations. 

There will be a Celebration of Life on June 4th at the Hungarian Center Kossuth Hall at 2230 NW 14th Street, Miami, Florida. Lunch will be served at 11:00am. Please RSVP to Kathy Ross by May 7th so we can have a head count for lunch. 

Should friends desire to make a contribution in Gabi's honor, donations can be made to the VFW Foundation at www.vfw.org