Gabriela G. Urban

Gabriela Urban November 1,1938 - February 22, 2022 Gabriela, of Richmond, IL, 83, passed away Tuesday, February 22, 2022. Born in Chapala, Mexico, daughter of Guillermina and Guillermo Alatorre, Gabriela moved to Guadalajara with her family as a teen. She was the eldest of six children, Guillermo Alatorre, Cristina Alatorre, Horacio Alatorre (died 10/21), Juan Alatorre, and Sofia (Todd) Spooner. Gabriela attended American School and then Anglo Mexicano School in Guadalajara. She spoke four languages, received a degree in tourism, and was a competitive tennis player winning numerous international championships. She worked at Agencia De Viajes “AGO” Travel Service in Guadalajara, where she met Joseph (Jay) Urban of Chicago, IL, in 1959. They married in 1960 and moved to the Chicago area. The two had three boys; Garrett of Viroqua, Wi, Grant of Glenview, IL, and Jonathan of Angel Fire, NM. They lived in Barrington, IL, and Scottsdale, AZ, before settling in Richmond, IL, where they resided for over 40 years. Gabriela loved to collect local art while on her many travels. She returned to Mexico each year (56 times) to visit relatives and friends, traveled to Europe every so often, and spent a year traveling the US, Mexico, and Canada in an RV with her husband, Garrett, Grant, and Jonathan. Gabriela and her family built a home on a piece of land that was formerly a cornfield. After discovering a love of nature, she decided to plant her own garden. She did not want a manicured version. Gabriela envisioned wild and free flower beds that could blow in the wind to find their own way. The lawn had more clover and weeds than grass. Fertilizers and weed killers were not applied to the yard. Gabriela planted the garden herself with some help from her husband. In the spring, summer, and fall, you could always find her in the garden, tending to the wild flowers, weeds, and seedlings. She was amazed by the colors, aromas, and the visitation of birds, butterflies and other animals. Her garden was her cathedral. In this peaceful environment, she would speak to Him. Gabriela was an accomplished weaver, quilter, knitter, and needle pointer, designing beautifully crafted creations. She decorated her home with art to remind her of the past and keep her in the present. She’d sit wrapped in her hats and scarves during the winters; weaving, quilting, knitting. And her face would light up with a joy only a grandmother knows when her granddaughter, Nolan, would come by with knitted creations of her own to share. She also leaves behind four beloved grandchildren: Mason, Nolan, Emerson, and Gray. As well as daughters-in-law Sharon Urban, Jeannie Frett, and Bianca Goyette. We all truly miss her. Funeral Notice: Service to commence Saturday, Mar 5, 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm at Ehorn–Adams Funeral Home 10011 Main St. Richmond, IL. 815.678.7311. www.EhornAdams.com. In lieu of flowers, donations to plant a tree in honor of Gabriela are appreciated. https://www.alivingtribute.org/

Gabriela G. Urban

November 1, 1938 - February 22, 2022