WESTFIELD – Gabriella (Carvalho) Schmidt, 96, (1926-2023) left earth on Tuesday, August 22nd, 2023, in the loving embrace of her daughter Heidi and grandson Dustin, as she had always wanted, peacefully in her home. She was born in Raynham MA to the late Antonio Sousa and Maria Odelia (Carreiro) Carvalho. Gabriella was one-of-a-kind! She loved life and all of God’s beautiful creations: humans, flowers, gardens, cats, and especially children who held the most special place in her heart. During her teenage years, Gabriella answered God’s calling and began teaching Sunday school which gave her purpose and became her lifelong dedication. Her love for children continued to grow with her first jobs nannying for various families, notably including the Clark family of North Adams. At the end of WW11, Gabriella moved from North Adams to Westfield to be with her sisters. Some of her fondest memories of this time were lovingly spent with her first husband Bill Cardinal on dates in the front booth of the Nook. She briefly relocated to Carson City, California before returning to Westfield in 1956, and began her career at Anderson & Sons sometime shortly after. In 1972, Gabriella began her 20-year career until proudly retiring in 1992 as switchboard operator for the City of Westfield. Gabriella adored her position as switchboard operator, and she made that well known to everyone she knew. She spent her entire life participating in religious ministries and studies. Her beloved service and gift was teaching Sunday School for decades/generations at Central Baptist Church, Westfield and more recently, she was a member of the former Christ the King Church in Westfield. Her energy was palpable, and she also devoted herself to volunteering at Noble Hospital, sewing, crocheting, knitting, gardening, crossword puzzling, reading, dancing, and organizing family parties. In her last few years Gabriella found herself back in the booth at the Nook after her grandson Dustin reopened the historic Westfield bar in 2018. She was proud beyond words to welcome the Nook into her family story once again at the end of her life. “Mom”, “Mumsy”, “Ma”, “Gram”, “Gabby”, or “Gay”- she was our tiny lady with a BIG sense of humor, loved her family, loved her desserts, loved her cocktails, loved dressing up and let’s not forget how she loved her high heels!
She was predeceased by her two sons, Glenn Cardinal and Craig Cardinal, her sisters Ida Pack and Sarah Sarrasin, her brother Paul Carvalho, nephew Charlie Pack, nieces Debbie Pack and Debbie Harris, and two former husbands William Cardinal and Henry Marcel Schmidt.
She is survived by her daughter Heidi (Schmidt) Cote, her grandsons, Dustin Ashley Cote and Shawn Cardinal (Hillary), her son-in-law Tryon Cote, daughter-in-law Sandra Cardinal, her sister Florinda Ruff and brother Tony Carvalho, her beloved niece Diane Allen (Russell Authier), her nephews David Harris, Steve Pack and Bobby Ruff, nieces Debra Gelber, Jan Williams, and Sharon Blanchard, great-grandchildren, and extended family/friends: Jackie Fedora Zering, Brenda Fedora, Michael Wynn, Kevin Wynn, Joe Wynn, Tyler Ritchie and family, as well numerous extended relatives and friends. She also leaves behind a loving companion of many years, her cat Moxie.
A special thank you to the dedicated angels with Compassus Health Care, especially Mary Jo, Janice, Sara, and Marilyn, to name a few.
There are no calling hours, but a memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Firtion Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad Street, Westfield, MA 01085. www.firtionadams.com
