Community Corner

Public Services Set to Remember Gabby

The 5-year-old Phoenixville girl was battling brain cancer.

After a months-long battle with inoperable brain cancer, Gabriella Vogel, 5, passed away Sunday night, according to an update on the Get Well Gabby Facebook page.

Two public services are set to remember Gabby and celebrate her life. According to a recent post:

We will be having a public viewing for Gabriella at Campbell-Ennis-Klotzbach Funeral Home in Phoenixville, PA, from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 15. A public celebration of life is being planned for her birthday on Oct. 9. The family requests NO FLOWERS. Donations can be made to Gabriella Vogel at Citibank on Lancaster Ave., Berwyn, 610-407-3659 or sent to Get Well Gabby, P.O. Box 963, Phoenixville, PA 19460

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Nearly 1,500 people commented on the post announcing Gabby's passing, with more posting directly on the Facebook wall, after the news was posted. Gabby’s story touched many in the area and across the world, and they followed her story on Facebook, attended local fundraisers and sent well wishes and prayers to the Vogel family.

“Tonight at 8:15 Gabby lost her fight with the tumors in her brain,” the post read. “She put up a very good fight and has been so brave throughout this journey. Gabriella Martha Vogel 10-9-05 to 9-11-11. We will always love you and carry you in our hearts.”

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Along the way since Gabby’s diagnosis of Pontine Glioma in early June, the family has been very open with Gabby’s struggle, and community members held bake sales, yard sales, a beef and beer event and more to offer the family financial and moral support. A in June to show support to the family, and in Reeves Park, a group of Gabby’s Angels, as well as John Vogel, Gabby’s father, and her two sisters, gathered to pray with the greater Phoenixville community.

Since Gabby’s diagnosis, her father John has shared touching and heartbreaking stories of the family’s struggle. His most recent post, “Afraid vs. Worried,” told of how he and the family struggled with recent changes in Gabby’s health and the realization that school was starting affected them.

Before this started, before Gabby was diagnosed, I didn’t realize how different the two words afraid and worried were.   Since this happened I have constantly been worried for Gabby.  Worried she wouldn’t grow up to figure out I was Santa, worried I wouldn’t teach her how to drive, worried that some boy would try to get her to sneak out late one night.  

In the last two weeks I have no longer been worried. It’s switched over to being afraid. Afraid she wouldn’t see her sixth birthday, afraid she wouldn’t see Disney in October, afraid she wouldn’t see Christmas this year. Afraid!  

Her symptoms are getting worse, the vacation we planned to the beach didn’t work out and we returned early for her to be admitted to CHOP and receive surgery. I have never so badly wanted to just be worried as opposed to truly afraid.

The Facebook page for Gabby has swelled to more than 14,000 supporters, and following the news that Gabby passed away, many reached out to express sorrow. 

Karen Pfromm shared:

The death of a baby is like a stone cast into the stillness of a quiet pool;
the concentric ripples of despair sweep out in all directions,
affecting many, many people.
--De Frain, 1991 
R.I.P. sweet child. My thoughts and prayers are with the Vogel family. God bless.

Lauren Clarke wrote, "Tears are streaming down my face, though I never knew Gabby and her family. Please know that my family will light a candle for you today and say a special blessing as we have done for Gabby the last several days."

Others shared condolences from far and near, with those from the Phoenixville area sharing memories of Gabby and offering prayers for the family.  

To find out more about Gabby’s story, visit GetWellGabby.org


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