Kathleen C. Gabbitas

Kathleen Crook Gabbitas
August 2, 2022
On Tuesday, August 2, 2022, Kathleen Crook Gabbitas, loving wife of 61 years and mother of 5 sons, passed away in her sleep at the age of 83 at her home in Bakersfield, California.

Kathleen was born October 24, 1938, in Lyman, Wyoming to Reno Giles Crook and Leola Madsen Crook, the second youngest of five siblings. She was raised in Emery, Utah and attended Brigham Young University where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. She met her husband, Robert Savage Gabbitas, while working as a secretary in the BYU Language Department. They were married for all eternity in the Manti Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on December 22, 1960. Together they raised five sons in Bakersfield, California.

Kathleen loved spending time with her family and enjoyed making memories with them at the family beach house in Morro Bay and on frequent camping trips to Sequoia National Park. After her family was raised, she enjoyed working as a teacher’s aide at several schools for a number of years. She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served tirelessly in her church callings in the Young Women, Primary, and Relief Society organizations. Kathleen served a mission with her husband who presided over the Ecuador Guayaquil South Mission of the Church from 1998-2001. She was dearly loved by the missionaries who served in that mission. She also served with her husband as he presided over the Guadalajara Mexico Temple of the Church from 2004-2007.

Kathleen had the ability to beautify and touch the lives of all who knew her. She was a gifted artist and loved to create and collect beautiful pieces of art. She was known for her kind and gentle demeanor, her friendly smile, and her ability to make everyone who met her feel loved.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents, Reno and Leola, siblings Ray and Jean, and is survived by her husband, Bob Gabbitas; sons, Steven (Lori), David (Lesley), Michael (Kristen), Bruce (Katrina), and Rick (Amy); a brother, Kay (LaRue), sister, Doris Funk, and sister-in-law, Ruth Crook, 27 grandchildren, and 5—soon to be 7—great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Saturday, August 6th, 2022 at the Church building at 5600 Panorama in Bakersfield, California at 11am. Interment will be at Bakersfield National Cemetery.