Gabrielle Therese Smiley

Our sweet baby sister, Gabrielle Therese Smiley, passed away suddenly on May 10, 2026. She was 67 years old.  Preceded in death by her parents Steve and Gwen Modory, her son Scott Smiley, her sisters Celeste, Michele and Margaret and her brother George, she is survived by her daughter, Lauren Smiley and her sisters Christina, Mary and Sandy. Gabby also shared her life and her love with  nieces and nephews Chellie, Danny, Jeanelle, Heather, Todd, Chad, Brad, Leslie, Steve, Trista, Scott, Michael, Elizabeth, Melissa, Stephanie, David, Joey and James, Maggie, PJ, Ally, Patrick, Mike, Mark and Marci.  Great nieces and nephews Paul, Megan, Joel, Eddie, Richie, Silas, Charli, Michael, Harvey, Avery, Hunter, Max, Shanti, Jada, Mitchel, Jacob, Gavin, Cade,  Pennley, Evvie, Marlow, Rhône, Reagan, Owen, Emma, Alex, Ethan, Aiden, Reece, Finley, Mila, Wes, Sebastian, Ben, Sadie, Wren and Jacob.  And great-great  nephews Oscar, Wilks, Shepard and Palmer.

Gabby grew up in Chicago on the West Side and the south suburb of Midlothian, She was loved deeply and spoiled by all her siblings. She attended Assumption and Epiphany Catholic grammar schools and graduated from Tinley Park High School.  At 18 Gabby moved to Denver and chose to live there the rest of her life. Gabby married Brad Smiley in 1985 and they raised two beautiful children, Lauren and Scott.  Gabby was a crier and cried her way through all their milestones, through their joys and triumphs, big and small and was present to support them in life’s challenges. She ultimately gave us two kind, loving, principled, educated and skilled adults.  Gabby’s heart was broken by Scott’s untimely death in 2024.

Gabby attended classes in accounting at Arapahoe Community College and worked most of her career in  bookkeeping and accounting. In the 1980’s and 90’s she worked for Kwal Paints and Woodman of the World. From 1997-2006 Gabby worked for Douglas County School District where Lauren and  Scott attended school.  Gabby then worked at Arapahoe Community College from 2006-2008. In 2008 Gabby went to work for Colorado State Department of Parks and Recreation where she managed the grant department for motorized trails. Gabby retired after 17 years with CPR and was recognized for her “ dedication and service and lasting impact on Colorado’s great outdoors“. Gabby loved the challenges that came with her job. She kept up with the technology related to her work but described her methods as “old school”. During  these years Gabby survived a broken back, breast cancer, a Stage Four brain tumor and a liver cancer.  She faced each with fierce determination, remarkable strength and courage as well as the love and support of family, friends and associates.

Gabby invariably had a major project in the works from a complete remodel to literally moving the earth in more than one landscaping project and everything in between.  Most of all, Gabby loved to have fun. She took Lauren and Scott on many escapades.   Of course she loved to have fun in the snow.  Once during a blizzard she packed up the kids in the car, went to the grocery store and found some wax lined boxes and took them downhill sledding on improvised sleds. Gabby was up for anything.  Once she played “Bean Boozled” with great nieces and nephews where she lost a few times and had to eat Jelly Bellies with the most obnoxious flavors. Gabby knew everything about Colorado and the Denver area,  She knew all the highways and almost always ignored or overrode any GPS. Gabby loved to take family on excursions when we visited,  Gabby knew all the good places to eat.  She also loved to cook. She would change up recipes, making them taste even better.  We enjoyed many delicious meals prepared by her. Gabby loved to invite family to celebrate birthdays and holidays at her house.

Gabby loved her family and was a loyal friend. She was loved and cherished in return. Gabby chose to live her life in retirement with her nephews Todd and Chad and their families, In December they invested in a beautiful home in Parker. In March Gabby realized her long awaited goal of retirement. Gabby began to live her dream, settling in and enjoying her time, her space and peace. A small taste of heaven on earth.  God had other plans and brought her to Himself and an unimaginable space of peace and love and joy.  We miss her every day.