Gabrielle Louise Joly

Gabrielle (Gaby) Louise Joly, resident of Clovis, California, passed away on April 30, 2022, at her home after bravely accepting a cancer diagnosis some months earlier. She was 92 years old.

Gaby was born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, on November 27, 1929. She married her childhood sweetheart, Paul Joseph Joly on November 27, 1950; they had two children, Denise Helen and Paul Andre. Gaby would go on to literally follow her husband to the ends of the earth due to his long military career. Once stateside for good, Gaby worked at the Fresno IRS and, over her many years of employent, distinguished herself with numerous awards and promotions. 

Known for her ever present smile and infectious laugh, Gaby placed a high premium on savoring the fun in life. She was a gifted artist whose teacher recommended her for college-level art classes at the tender age of 14. Gaby was a talented singer who mastered the art of western yodeling, and during their courtship, Gaby and Paul competed in couples rollerskating competions.

After Paul passed away in 1998, Gaby and her squad of close girlfriends shared their love of adventure, travel, card games, and food—enjoying amenities at nearly every casino in California and Nevada. Gaby also had a “bestie” whom she met in first grade and spoke to daily on the phone right up until a few days before passing away.

Gaby and her husband never shied away from helping anyone in need, and opened their home many times, no questions asked. They left their children, loved ones and friends a living legacy of generosity, courage, valor, kindness, and love. 

In addition to her beloved husband Paul Joseph Joly, Gaby is preceded in death by her father Wilfred Forcier, mother Alida Forcier, sister Annette Forcier, brother Emil Forcier, brother Norman Forcier, sister Irene Forcier, and brother Julien Forcier. 

Surviving relatives include sister Lucienne Forcier, daughter Denise Norwood and her husband Mark, son Paul Andre Joly and his wife Linda (nee Kainrath), granddaughters Dewi Faulkner and Amy Jones, grandsons Sam Norwood and Brian Kainrath, great-grandson Brooks Faulkner, and great-granddaughters Gabrielle Faulkner, Summer Jones, and Maxine Majeske.

Special thanks to Dewi Faulkner for flying in from Washington State to give invaluable support and assistance, and to Elke Schmadicke, RN and friend from Switzerland who by divine providence had planned her annual vacation to visit Gaby, and gladly provided expert care and loving support to the end. 

Please join us for Gabrielle's Celebration Of Life. We will enjoy food, warm remembrances, a photo montage, tears and Gaby’s favorite… Laughter. Feel free to pick a flower from your yard or bring a flower or two for placement on the photo table. Hope to see you there.

When: Thursday, June 2
Time: 1:30-3:30
Where: Bear Mountain Library: 30733 E. Kings Canyon Highway, Squaw Valley, CA
Good, easy parking and right off the 180.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Rose Ferron Foundation of Rhode Island 

339 Arnold St. 

Woonsocket, Rhode Island

02895

roseferronri.org