Obituary of Anne M. Gambell

Anne Marie Fitzpatrick Gambell, 78, of Otisco, died peacefully on July 20, 2016. Born May 28, she was the daughter of the late Carlyle and Lillian (Flanagan) Fitzpatrick. She was also pre-deceased by her sister, Beth Hutson, and brother, Ambrose Fitzpatrick. Anne was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother - the sunshine and flower of our lives. She married her high school sweetheart, Jim, in 1961 and raised four children who thought she was the greatest mom ever – slow to anger, rich in kindness, loving and always forgiving. Anne laughed easily and had a witty sense of humor. A friend once said, "If everyone was like Anne, there'd be no wars." How true. Of all Anne's traits, it was her faith in Jesus that endured. Praying, believing and instilling this faith into her children was her greatest gift. Many nights, Anne could be found kneeling beside her bed saying the rosary. Her faith was inspiring. Her warmth and friendliness rubbed off on everyone and is irreplaceable. She was truly a handmaid of the Lord. Taught by her Aunt Mildred Flanagan, Anne attended elementary school at a one-room schoolhouse in Otisco. She later graduated in 1955 from Tully High School where she was the senior class treasurer. Anne worked at Niagara Mohawk and Onondaga Community College where colleagues became lifelong friends. She was a member of St. Patrick's Church in Otisco, Corpus Christi in South Onondaga, St. Patrick's Ladies Auxiliary and the Land Improvement Contractors of America Auxiliary. Anne is survived by her husband, Jim, of 54 years; daughters, Cindy Gambell (John Watt) of Syracuse, and Colleen (Dan) Santelli of Virginia; sons, Jerry Gambell and Gregg (Sarah) Gambell, both of Tully; grandchildren: Carrie and Evan Watt, Christine and Daniel Gambell, and Abigale, Amelia and Annalee Santelli; siblings: Doris Martin (Richard), Francis (Beverly) Fitzpatrick, Thomas (Pam) Fitzpatrick, Justin Fitzpatrick and Ronald (Beth) Fitzpatrick; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Anne's family thanks her friends and family who always remembered her with a card, candy, flowers and prayers. Special thanks goes to her caregivers Janet Karvwnaris and Loretto's 13th floor team: Liz, Ty, Toni, Bill, Carlos, Cassy, Arlene, MJ, Melissa, Mary, Cheryl, Sherry and all who showed Anne great patience, kindness and love. There will be no calling hours; burial will be private. A Catholic Mass open to all will be Friday, July 22, 2016, at 10:30 a.m., at St. Patrick's Church, Route 80, Otisco. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation at www.pdf.org, Tully Ambulance or the Otisco Fire Department.