Puk (Yang) Gabay

Puk Gabay, 77, passed away December 29, 2015. Born in South Korea, she was a resident of Akron since 1972. She worked as a seamstress for 28 years with the Euclid Garment Mfg, in Kent. Her passion was spending time with her family and gardening.

Puk is survived by her adoring husband, Neil; her daughters, Jasmin, (Bobby), Lillian; sons, David (Frances), Eugene (Joyce); brother, Kwang (Kyung) Cho. Puk's grandchildren: Erica, Chloe, Sarah, Aaron, Laura, Ethan, and great-grandchild Elisabeth, will cherish many joyous memories of her.

Everyone who knew Puk loved her and was enriched by her. She could brighten up any room with her smile and will live forever in the hearts of her family and friends.

The best evidence of who she was, is wonderfully articulated in a letter from Keith Forest Brown, who Puk considered her "third son."

"Dear Puk, When I heard you were ill, I couldn't just pick out a mass-produced card, write a message, and send it to you. No card could capture my feelings, for no relationship could be more unique. People can have a profound effect on others; you have had that once-in-a-lifetime affect on me.

"You have been such a special person in my life. The days in Akron during my breaks from college, our trip to Korea, the times at my farm in Massachusetts, make up so much of the happiness I have known in my life. You and Neil treated me as a son and I was proud when you introduced me as such to your relatives in Korea.

"My memories of you and of our forays in the woods identifying plants, like gosari, for food or for medicinal purposes will always be with me. I think of you when I am outside in the garden turning the soil or harvesting vegetables. I love our common passion for plants; You have taught me so much about cooking. Ever since I met you, I keep a jar of kimchee in my refrigerator!

"Puk, I am amazed and inspired by your courage and perpetual love for life. Your love, your memory, your impression on me, will live on forever in my heart. If I could have a fraction of the influence on others in my life -- my friends or my family -- that you have had on me, I would be a happy man, indeed. I am so grateful to have been part of your beautiful family."

Visitation will be will be 1:00 until 3:00 pm, Sunday, January 3, 2016 at the Donovan Funeral Home, 17 Southwest Ave (on the Historic Tallmadge Circle).

Funeral services will be 9:00 am Monday, January 4, 2016 at the funeral home.

Interment will be at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman.