Marie Jeanne Zabel

Marie Jeanne Zabel, Spokane, Wash., passed away on Feb. 23, 2022, after struggling with Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA). Marie was born in 1939 to Robert and Jeanne Melton in Norwalk, Calif. She graduated from Excelsior High School in Norwalk in 1957. Having met Ernest H. Gilmour in 1954, they wed in 1957 and went on to have three children: Ernest Henry Gilmour, William Bryce Gilmour, and Nadine Marie Gilmour (Madrazo). When Ernie Jr. was born, Marie decided to dedicate her life to raising her children and being a wonderful mother. After the children were grown, she studied Nursing in Spokane, Wash. After graduating in 1974 with honors, she commenced her nursing career as a Registered Nurse (RN) at Sacred Heart Hospital. She later went on to work as the head nurse for the Cheney Care Center and then for Dr. Wigert's office.

In 1980, Marie married Walt Zabel, a wonderful man. They enjoyed many life experiences and adventures together. Marie was a passionate and extremely creative woman who enjoyed many hobbies: reading, horseback riding, cooking, gardening, belly dancing, square dancing, guitar, painting, knitting, spinning wool and weaving, lead-glass designs, and many more crafts. When she wasn't filling her home with warmth and kindness, she could be found making yet another beautiful creation for a lucky friend or family member.

Marie was a dedicated mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She always provided her family with love and support through the many passions and challenges of their lives. She made it her mission to improve the lives of others in both her work environments and within her own family. Everyone Marie touched in her life will miss her greatly; she was loved by so many.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Robert H. and Jeanne Melton, and two sons, Ernie Gilmour and Bill Gilmour. She is survived by her brother, Robert Melton, and her husband, Walt Zabel, and their three surviving children, ten grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

There will be a funeral service on Saturday, March 5, at 12:00 p.m. in the Cheney Funeral Chapel. Following the service, an informal reception will be held adjacent to the chapel, and the day will end with burial at the Spokane-Cheney Memorial Gardens.

The family requests that any flowers* and/ or notes be sent to the Cheney Funeral Chapel at 1632 West 1st Street, Cheney, WA, 99004.

Marie was dedicated to helping individuals in need, so in lieu of flowers, guests may prefer to donate to help the homeless through either House of Charities or The Women's Hearth.

*A Town & Country Floral is a local flower shop.