Gabriela Maria Saunders

Gabriela Maria (Jimenez) Saunders, 56, of Bowie, MD, passed away on September 13, 2021 after a lengthy battle with Cancer.  Born July 22, 1965 in Northwest Washington, DC, Gabriela was the wife of Paul Jon Saunders, mother of Marcelo Antonio Saunders and the daughter of Mario Antonio Jimenez and the late Cecilia Maria (Chinchilla) Jimenez.  After moving to Calle Blancos, San Jose, Costa Rica with her siblings and mother as a small child, Gabriela returned to Washington, DC where she lived before moving to Silver Spring, MD after the passing of her mother Cecilia.

After attending Blair and Northwood High Schools in Silver Spring, MD she began her professional career as a receptionist for the now defunct Wexler Group.  While there she learned what it meant to be polished and professional, as she excelled and was loved by all, clients and colleagues alike!  After leaving Wexler, Gabriela began a long career in Human Resources, quickly working her way up at College Park Honda.  Ultimately she earned the title of Human Resources Manager and her honest, kind and compassionate, yet direct nature made her a favorite of her colleagues, as well as the employees she assisted throughout the years she spent there. 

Upon leaving College Park Honda, Gabriela took on a new challenge working for Central Wholesalers (later Maintenance Supply Headquarters and then Lowes).  While the work she performed may have changed, her honesty, compassionate and direct nature did not.  She was beloved by nearly all she worked with and assisted.  Gabriela went the extra mile to help those seeking employment, those dealing with employment issues and anyone who seemed lost and needed assistance. 

As a Latin woman in a professional environment, Gabriela took it upon herself to use her knowledge, skills and position to assist Latinos and African Americans in overcoming the hurdles and injustices that these groups suffer in finding employment and being treated fairly in the work place.  She used her language skills to assist and advise employees with limited English and translated policies, both written and spoken.  She understood the ‘Human’ in Human Resources and it showed in the lives she touched professionally.

A woman of faith, Gabriela was a member of St. Jerome’s Catholic Church in Hyattsville, MD.  She lived for God and her family and cherished every moment she had with them!  She loved to work-out and she loved the beach!  The more tropical, the better.  Manuel Antonio in Costa Rica, the beaches of Cancun, Mexico and South Beach, Miami were among her favorites!  Although not a huge sports fan, Gabriela had her favorite teams, the New England Patriots being at the top of the list.  She was a super fan of the DeMatha Catholic Football and Basketball teams rooting loudly and passionately for the Stags at live games.  Gabi, as we called her, also loved the DeMatha music program that her son Marcelo participated in, and their talent always stirred her heart.  She was proud to tell those she was close to that her son’s music team was so good that at a competition in Tennessee they won every category they entered finishing as Grand Champion.  Unknown to many, Gabriela had an amazing singing voice – smooth and enchanting.  If you were fortunate enough to ever hear her REALLY sing, you never forgot it.

In addition to her husband Paul, Gabriela is survived by her son Marcelo Antonio of Bowie, MD; her sister Marlene Jimenez of Gaithersburg, MD and brother Mario Alberto Jimenez of Lanham, MD.  She also leaves behind her niece and nephews, as well as several family members and friends both here and in Costa Rica.

Gabriela had a smile that could light the night sky, so when you look up, find the brightest star and know that she is smiling down on you….

As her son Marcelo best stated, “She is the strongest person I know, and she put love and compassion into everything she did.”.

Visitation will be held Monday September 20, 2021 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Beall Funeral Home, 6512 NW Crain Hwy. (Rte. 3 South), Bowie, MD 20715.  Funeral mass will follow on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 at St. Jerome’s Catholic Church, 5205 43^rd Avenue, Hyattsville, MD 20781.