Jeanette Gabriel Obituary

January 12, 1940 - August 15, 2025 Jeanette Lester Gabriel died August 15th, 2025 at her home in San Pedro, California, after a long battle with cancer. She was born in Long Beach in 1940 to Edward and Lorena Lester. In 1978 she earned a Master's Degree from Cal State Northridge, worked with children, and, in 1983, cofounded the adoption agency Adoptions Unlimited. In 1988, she earned a Master's degree from UC Santa Barbara in Art History, after which she was made Assistant Curator of European Decorative Arts at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in charge of the Gilbert Collection of micromosaics and hardstones. In 1994, she went on to become Private Curator to Arthur Gilbert in charge of his entire, varied art collection (including snuff boxes, paintings, gold and silver work, and, of course, the mosaics). Jeanette wrote 2 major books on micromosaics and contributed to many other publications on a variety of topics. In 2002, after Arthur Gilbert's death, she was made Honorary Curator of the Gilbert Collection (now primarily at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London and LACMA). After leaving the Gilbert Collection, she worked as an independent art consultant; Sotheby's and Christie's auction houses were frequent clients. Jeanette spent most of her life in Southern California, primarily living in Malibu, Santa Monica, and, finally, San Pedro. Besides her interest in art, she loved gardening, reading (especially mysteries), antiques, and had a special affinity for England, traveling there many times. She was a great cook, had a wonderful sense of humor, and was one of the most generous souls to ever walk this Earth. Jeanette had six children (Robb Hanisee, Michele Hanisee, Leigh Hanisee, Caleb Hanisee, Patricia Milton, and Molly Hanisee; her sons, Robb and Caleb preceded her in death, both from cancer). She also leaves behind her husband of 32 years, Angelo Gabriel. She was a wonderful mother, and the best wife any man ever had. Loving, sweet, kind, smart, beautiful; she is deeply missed and much beloved. Services will be held at McNerney's Mortuary, Saturday, Sept. 6 at 11:00 AM. in San Pedro, California. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. Flowers are welcome. Jeanette loved flowers.