Lynn Gabel Brockelman
Lynn Gabel Brockelman, a longtime resident of Ridgefield CT, Waccabuc, NY and Lake Wales, Florida passed away October 16, 2015 peacefully at her home surrounded by family after a courageous fight with cancer. Born to Frederick and Kathleen Gabel, Lynn was raised in Ridgefield, Connecticut, and later moved to Waccabuc, NY with her husband, Curtis Brockelman, to raise their family. Lynn and Curt have called the Mountain Lake community in Lake Wales, Florida their home for the last several years.
Lynn was educated at Ridgefield Elementary School 1950-1954, Bolton School (Greens Farms Academy) 1954-1957, Stuart Hall in Staunton, VA 1957-1959 and Ripon College in Ripon, WI 1959-1963. Following her graduation from Ripon College, she moved to New York City where she met her husband, Curtis Brockelman.
Lynn was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend whose ability to spread laughter, enthusiasm and genuine warmth was contagious. She believed that “love is a verb” and “that you are never sorry when you make an effort.” Her deep love for and dedication to her family was evident in all she did, be it on the sidelines of sporting events, in the audience of performances, on committees at schools or behind the scenes in the kitchen. Lynn was always there for her family with a smile, a hug, a great meal and a good joke. She instilled in her friends and family her belief that having fun is not only possible, but it is essential. Lynn’s joyful presence emanated from the unconditional love she shared with her husband, Curt.
Lynn was an enthusiastic and engaged member of her communities. Her sense of fun, love of a good party, and inclusive nature always made where she resided a special place to be. One of her proudest Waccabuc legacies was helping to establish the Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Core annual fundraiser held at Waccabuc Country Club. During her children’s time in the school system, she also served as President of Lewisboro School Parent Teacher Association. She enjoyed time on the Board of Trustees at Westminster School in Simsbury, CT and more recently on the Board of Vanguard School near her home in Lake Wales, Florida. There she established the Vanguard Bistro to train the students and engage the local community. She also cherished her involvement with the Bok Academy rocket program and the satisfaction evident in the students with each successful launch.
Lynn was an avid photographer and accomplished golfer. Having played golf since 1951 at the Waccabuc Country Club, she celebrated numerous tournament victories and was the ladies club champion countless times from the 1960s until her last entry and win in 2000. She was a member of the Women’s Tri-County Golf Association, Women’s Westchester Fairfield County Golf Association and the US Senior’s Women’s Golf Association where she was a board member and annual tournament photographer. She will long be remembered not just as “having game,” but more importantly to her as always “having fun” on the golf course. Although always a competitor, she will be most fondly remembered as “COACH.” She instilled a certain confidence when she believed in you that made victory and success seem almost inevitable. Lynn considered her “golfing pals” among her best friends, and the greatest gift of her time on the course.
Lynn is survived by her devoted husband, Curtis F. Brockelman and their children Curtis Brockelman Jr (wife Alisa) of Greenwich, Connecticut, Scott Brockelman (wife Becky) of Topsfield, Massachusetts and Ellen Bailey (husband John) of Waccabuc, New York. She counted her Grandchildren as her favorite company, and derived great joy in earning her nickname “PITA”. They include Curtis Brockelman III, Nina Brockelman, Bridget Brockelman, Matthew Brockelman, Samuel Brockelman, Liza Brockelman, Eleanor Bailey and Thomas Bailey. Lynn is also survived by siblings Frederick Gabel of New York, New York, Alexander Gabel of Oxford, North Carolina, and her lifetime partner in crime and twin sister Kathy Strickland of South Salem, NY.
Visiting hours will be at the Kane Funeral Home in Ridgefield, Connecticut on Wednesday, October 21st from 5-8pm and a Memorial Service is to be held at St Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Ridgefield, Connecticut on Thursday, October 22nd at 10am. A reception will immediately follow at the Waccabuc Country Club. Lynn’s wishes were that in lieu of flowers, remembrance contributions be made to Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Core (LVAC, 777 NY-35, Cross River, NY 10518) or to the Bok Academy Rocket Program (LWCS Foundation, Bok Academy, PO Box 3309, Lake Wales, FL, 33859-3309