Carmen Romero Mendoza Gabriel

Carmen Mendoza Romero Gabriel was born in Binalonan Pangasinan Republic of the Philippines on September 21, 1932. Her childhood was normal until she was nine years of age, when the Empire of Japan invaded the islands on December 10, 1941. Since her home was the largest in the town, the Japanese used it as a headquarters and living space for senior officers and the family had to go into hiding. When the war was over, she completed her schooling and finished with a B.A. in international relations. She was then accepted at Peabody Institute of Music, part of Johns Hopkins University, where she completed a Master's degree in piano. Upon graduation, the school hired her as a piano instructor where she taught for two years at which time she returned home to the Philippines. Carmen and Gary met in passing at Peabody and four years later met again in the Philippines. Three years after that they were married on September 11, 1967. During the first 18 years of their marriage, Carmen had to put up with the constant moving and separations required by the military. Carmen was always very popular with her students and everyone else that knew her. Her personality was such that everyone she met immediately liked her, and the feeling persisted with everyone she ever knew. Carmen and Gary led and provided accompaniment for the Santinig Choir for more than 20 years, providing music for the 11:30am Mass. She said she promised the Lord that she would play for Him as long as she could, which she did until 2015 when she became ill and could no longer play. Carmen died peacefully on August 24, 2017.

Carmen is survived by her husband, Gary Gabriel; son, Gary (Margie) Gabriel Jr.; two step-grandchildren; sister, Lourdes Aguirre. She is preceded in death by her parents, Honorio and Ana Romero; and numerous siblings.

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