Gabriella Magdolna Hanley, of Roanoke, Virginia, passed away on March 13th, 2025, leaving behind a lifetime of love, strength, and unforgettable moments. She is preceded in death by her mom, Magda Lukacs Toth, her best friend, Debbie, and close family friend, Don. She is survived by her husband, Timothy Hanley, daughters Sarah Hanley, Jackie Roberts, and Jaimie Smith, goddaughter Cindy Andrews-Preece, Don's daughter Kathleen, father Leslie Toth, and grandson, Harrison Roberts. 

Born in Budapest, Hungary, on July 1st, 1954, Gabriella came to the United States with her grandmother, Anyu, at the age of 11, carrying with her the resilience and fire that would define her life. Standing at just 4’11”, she made up for her height with an outsized personality, fierce determination, and a love for leopard print and four-inch wedge heels — a staple in her wardrobe, regardless of the day's agenda.

Gabriella was an avid reader, devouring books at every chance. She cared deeply for her family, pouring her love into the small moments - such as managing to cook dinner while simultaneously helping her girls study for the spelling bee with invented games to hop across tiles as they spelled out the words. Gabriella's love also came with a sense of humor, as she never missed an opportunity to dress her daughters alike in the most ridiculous pink pom-pom adorned sweatpant sets, a memory Jackie and Sarah still laugh (cringe) about today. 

Gabriella was deeply nurturing, but also passionate and fiery — never one to back down from a challenge, but ready to stand up for what's right. She was strong-willed and stubborn, a force of nature who worked tirelessly for nearly 50 years at Verizon to ensure her family had food, clothes, and a home. In her tenure, she was also a lifetime Communications Workers of America (CWA) union member and stood with her colleagues and friends as they walked picket lines to ensure the rights, safety, and dignity of current and future employees. 

Gabriella carried her Hungarian roots with pride, often blasting folk music from the kitchen windows with a pot of chicken paprikash stewing. Friends and family knew this as part of the magic of Gabriella’s home—one filled with music, love, a bit of chaos, and the unwavering strength of a mother who never stopped providing for her family.

Life was not always easy for her—she battled depression, but through it all, she kept moving forward. Her strength and determination live on in her daughters, shaping them into the people they are today. Gabriella adored her grandson, Harrison, and was a source of warmth and wisdom during her eldest daughter’s early days of motherhood, offering nonjudgmental support and reassurance that gave Jackie the courage to be the parent she is today.

A private celebration of life will be held the weekend of Mother's Day in Roanoke for close family and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of the following organizations in honor of Gabriella’s life:

• National Employment Law Project (nelp.org)

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (nami.org)

• Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (https://donate.imaginationlib…)

Gabriella was complicated, bold, loving, and unforgettable. She leaves behind a family who will miss her fiercely but will carry her fire in their hearts and actions forever. She was one of a kind, and we will never stop loving her. 

And so [we] wake in the morning and [we] step outside

And [we] take a deep breath and [we] get real high

And [we] scream from the top of [our] lungs

“What’s going on?”

We love you, Édesanyám.

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