Obituary of Gabriella I. West

Gabriella West, 95, of Coffeyville, Kansas passed away on Sunday, December 23, 2018, at home in Navarre, Florida.

Gabby was born on November 25, 1923, in Italy, to Andrea and Roselia (Princic) Stakolic.   Gabby survived WWII in Italy and she overcame her mother being shot and killed. She was the only sibling of 4 to not be put in a concentration camp. She lost the father of her unborn daughter, Edda. Gabby eventually met, fell in love with and got married to an American Army soldier, Alfred G West.  Gabby and Alfred had one son together, Alfred Jr.  Alfred Sr. brought his new family to America in 1948.  They would eventually settle in Coffeyville, Kansas and make it their permanent home.  Gabby spent the last 16 months of her life in Navarre, Fl, living with family.

Gabby was a positive and happy person, who will be long remembered for her smile, sweet nature and unconditional friendship. She was an amazing seamstress and loved to sew for all her friends.  When she wasn’t behind the sewing machine, you could find her playing golf at Hillcrest, tending to her fig trees, listening to opera, visiting with friends, or at church.   

Gabby is survived by her children, Alfred West Jr. of Grove, Oklahoma and Edda Brancato of Navarre, Florida; grandchildren, Rocky (Holy) Brancato of Tampa, Florida, and Sunny Brancato of Navarre, Florida; great grandchildren, Skylar Payne and Shea Payne both of Navarre, Florida and Kaia Brancato of Tampa, Florida. She was preceded in death by her husband Alfred West, her parents, Andrea and Roselia Stakolic, and son in law, John Brancato.

A Rosary Service will be at 9:30 a.m. Monday, December 31, 2018 at Holy Name Catholic Church with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10:00 a.m. with Father Daniel Lorimer officiating. Burial will be in Restslawn Memorial Park in Coffeyville.

Friends may call on Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville.

The family suggests memorials to Holy Name Catholic Church; contributions may be left the funeral home or mailed in care of David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337.

To leave a message for the family please visit www.dwbfh.com.

David W. Barnes Funeral Home of Coffeyville is in charge of arrangements.