Urban, Gabriela (Calinska) of Quincy, formerly of Dorchester, July 2, 2008.
Wife of the late Jan Urban. Devoted mother of Andre Urban & wife Barbara of Garland, TX, Richard Urban & wife Kathy of Weymouth and Thomas Urban of Quincy. Adored grandmother of Stefanie & Christopher Urban of TX and Joseph & Kaitlin Urban of Weymouth.
Gabriela was born in Poznan, Poland. During World War II, her family and life was ravaged and torn apart; many members were imprisoned in German forced labor camps. After the war, she was forced to migrate from Poland to flee communist oppession and escaped to Sweden where she joined a large Polish emigre community that was forming overseas. For 10 years, she lived in Stockholm, Sweden where she met her Polish husband, Jan, gave birth to her two sons, Andre and Richard, and began to raise her family. In 1958, the family immigrated to the United States, via Ellis Island, in search of hope, promise and the American Dream. They ultimately settled in Dorchester, where Thomas was born and where Gabriela resided until recently moving to Quincy. She overcame many setbacks, challenges, and hardships as they arose at various times but her love of life, devotion to family, and faith in God provided her the strength, will and capacity to endure and succeed.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral from the Keohane Funeral Home, 785 Hancock St., QUINCY, Tuesday at 8:30 AM. Funeral Mass in Sacred Heart Church, Weymouth Landing at 9:30 AM.
Visiting hours Monday 4-8 PM.
Burial in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Dorchester.
Donations in Gabriela's memory may be made to Work Inc. Capital Campaign, 3 Arlington St., Quincy, MA 02171.