Mary Carol Gabor

Mary Carol Gabor, 82, of Malden, Illinois and formerly of Batavia passed away Wednesday, September 16, 2020 at Perry Memorial Hospital in Princeton, IL.  Mary was born in Neillsville, WI December 25, 1937 the daughter of Durell and Mable (Lutz) Gotchling.  Mary was united in marriage to Wallace Gabor August 29, 1959 in Milwaukee, WI.

Mary’s spirit was forged in hardship.  At the age of 12, she was abandoned by her divorcing parents.  With nothing but her wits and determination, she made her way to New Mexico largely on the kindness of strangers.  The kindness people showed to her in her time of need made a deep impression on her and she spent the rest of her life repaying the debt with kindness towards others.

Having been deprived of a normal childhood, she committed herself to creating the most stable life for her own children.  She bestowed upon her children the most important gift a parent can give: the unconditional love and support needed to give children their chance to succeed in this world.

During her later years, Mary suffered from a number of debilitating illnesses. Neither they nor the earlier hardships in her life ever quenched her ability and desire to laugh (most often at her own jokes).  If anything, they fueled a determination to enjoy life on whatever terms it offers.  That will be her lasting legacy for her family, who already miss her.

She is survived by her loving husband Wallace; two children Mark (Rebekah) Gabor and Kathy (Rob) Zuleger; five grandchildren, Andrew (Afsoon) Gabor, Michael Gabor, Greer Gabor, and Samantha and Ryan Zuleger. 

In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her son Curtis Gabor. 

Due to COVID 19 all services will be held privately.  A private interment took place in Resurrection Cemetery in Geneva.