February 15, 1930 – April 28, 2026
Our beloved mother, Filippina Gabriele, peacefully went home to be with the Lord on April 28, 2026.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Santo Gabriele; her son Antonio Gabriele; and son-in-law David Thomas Farotto.
Filippina is survived by her five remaining children and their spouses: Peter (Rosemarie) Gabriele, Carmen (Renee) Gabriele, Mary Gabriele Farotto, Susie (Nicholas) Owens, and Frank (Vikki) Gabriele. Her grandchildren: Stefanie Gabriele-Guzman, Geovoni Gabriele, Cheri Buzzetta, Carmen Gabriele Jr., Christian Gabriele, Tony Gabriele Jr., Diana Gabriele, Felicia Farotto Ulibarri, Lisa Farotto Traub, Lindsay Owens, and Megan Owens. She also leaves behind 17 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and numerous nieces, nephews, and relatives in Italy.
Filippina was born on February 15, 1930, in Colosimi, Calabria, Italy, to Gaetano and Santa Fuoco. She married her husband, Santo Gabriele, on June 18, 1949, in her hometown. In 1956, at the age of 26, Filippina immigrated to the United States with her husband and young family. After a brief time in San Jose, California, they settled in Hollister, where they made their home and raised their six children.
A devoted homemaker and hard worker, she took on odd jobs to help her family make ends meet. In 1963, she began working as a seasonal employee at Hollister Canning Company, later becoming San Benito Foods, where she was a member of Teamsters Local 890 Union. She worked for San Benito Foods for 36 years until she retired in 1999 at the age of 69.
In her retirement, Filippina found great joy in caring for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She expressed her love through cooking, and teaching her family how to makeher famous spaghetti sauce. She enjoyed traveling on bus trips to Reno and Las Vegas with Marlene’s Tours, alongside many of her lifelong friends from the cannery. She also had a deep passion for gardening and spent countless hours tending to her fruits and vegetables at her home on Hawkins Street.
Filippina was very passionate about learning the English language and was able to fluently speak Spanish with the help of her lifelong friends, Maria Gutierrez and Jesse Corona. Together, they shared not only language, but culture and tradition—exchanging cherished recipes and creating lasting memories. With open arms, she welcomed friends, neighbors, and anyone in need into her home. No one was ever turned away. Her warmth, generosity, and hospitality touched countless lives.
Filippina has left a legacy of love, kindness, and perseverance. We are deeply blessed to have shared in her long and beautiful life. She is now at peace, rejoicing in eternal comfort and joy.
Ciao Ma, Nana, Phil, Felipa. comadre, and friend.
Visitation and Rosary:
Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Visitation: 9:00 a.m. | Rosary: 10:00 a.m.
Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Family Funeral Home, 870 San Benito Street, Hollister, California
Catholic Mass:
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 | 11:00 a.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 520 College Street, Hollister.
Graveside Service:
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 | 12:00 p.m.
Calvary Cemetery, 1100 Hillcrest Road, Hollister.
Reception:
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 | 1:00 p.m.
Paine’s Restaurant, 421 East Street, Hollister.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Sacred Heart Church in Filippina’s memory.