Estrella Gabrie-Garcia

Estrella Gabrie-Garcia, 90, of Manassas, Va., formerly of Emerson, N.J., passed away October 9th, 2023. She was born in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, on September 19, 1933, to Nicholas and Elena (Paranky) Gabrie. Known as “Mami,” “Tia Mami,” “Lady E,” or “Mrs. G.,” she was the youngest of eleven siblings. She is predeceased by her parents and all her loving brothers and sisters: Victoria Mansoor, Adela Gabrie, Jorge Gabrie, Alexandra Gabrie, Constantino Gabrie, Julia Yacaman, Julio Gabrie, Ernesto Gabrie, Carim Gabrie, and Elena Acosta. She is also predeceased by her husband of 31 years, Raul Garcia. She is survived by her daughter, Dr. Lisette Garcia (Craig Bennett), and her son, Andre Garcia. Estrella studied at Instituto Oficial José Trinidad Reyes and in 1954 she immigrated to New York City with her mother and sister, Alexandra. While in New York she had the opportunity to pursue her passion of acting, appearing in several Spanish language tele-novelas before becoming a licensed real estate agent in New Jersey and founding American Homestead Realty. She would return to her acting career later in life and appeared as an extra in various programs filmed in the New York metropolitan area including The Sopranos and Law and Order: SVU. Estrella was a proud member of SAG/AFTRA. A creative person at heart, who loved to entertain everybody she also wrote poetry and recited it for family members every opportunity she had, and she enjoyed reciting her poems at various events and libraries across New Jersey, with the performing group Poet X. Estrella was also an active member of the Emerson community and an advocate for girls’ sports. She is fondly remembered as "Mrs. G" to the girls she managed in the Emerson softball league and Andre and Lisette’s friends from Emerson JR/SR High School. Early in life she received the nickname "Mami", what started as a childhood prank would eventually define who she would become. She welcomed all with a warm heart, her cheerful demeanor, and was always ready with a happy smile for everyone. She truly was a mom to all and knew how to light up a room. We remember Estrella for her fun-loving spirit and the knack she had for making everyone around her happy. We invite you to join us for a celebration of her life on Saturday, November 25, 2023, at 3 p.m. at Pierce Funeral Home 9609 Centerville Rd., Manassas, Va. For those unable to attend in person, the family has made a virtual option available, please visit https://www.piercefh.com/ for more information. There were few things that mom believed in more than the power of education, the family asks that in lieu of flowers that you make a donation in her honor to Collegiate Directions Inc. or to help find a cure for the disease that took her life Alzheimer’s Association.

Estrella Gabrie-Garcia

September 19, 1933 - October 9, 2023