Let me tell you a story of a young woman; daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend….

Tara Lynn Gaberlein (nee Bowersox) was born in March to Gail and George Bowersox III. Although born in Pennsylvania, she grew up and always made Delaware her home. She was average young girl growing up, loved her fashions and Caboodles, loved having vacations with her family. Oldest of three siblings with her brother George and sister Heather, they fought like you’d expect siblings too, but also would defend each other if another approached.

Tara became a strong independent woman, making herself an excellent career in the banking industry rising to an Assistant Vice President in her department. While working and raising their son, she earned her 4 year college degree in Business Management and was working towards her Master’s Degree.

Tara actually met her husband Eric W Gaberlein in the late ‘90s, they went their separate ways eventually crossing paths again leading to them getting married March 2005. Their family was completed when their son Lucas William was also born in March.

She enjoyed building their home, traveling to Disney, and camping and fishing on the beach with her large crew of friends.

On October 28th, 2016 she received a phone call that at first devastated the family. Tara was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer. In the beginning it was a sign of the end. But then Tara decided it wasn’t for her, at least not yet. She had her cry, then decided to fight. And fight she did, with every single cell in her being. Breast surgery. Chemo after chemo. Radiation, radiation, radiation. Brain surgery, then more radiation and chemo. She researched, she had tests ran, she advocated for herself and many others. She supported, advised and just listened to so many other warriors and have left her imprint on hundreds, if not thousands, of other warriors and their families.

She was able to enjoy life to the fullest as she never knew how much time she had left. She loved sitting on the beach watching her son play, the waves crash, the dolphins swim past. She made trips to Walt Disney World with some of her best friends, even one last one during the Christmas holidays to see all the displays and shows.

In the early morning of February 12, 2019, the cancer defeated her body, but not her. She passed surrounded by her family. Her will and spirit live on, in her son and in all of her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents Dorothy & George Bowersox II; her maternal grandfather Samuel Wheat; her uncle Tim Tompkins; and her father-in-law William E. Gaberlein.

She is survived by her son Lucas; her husband Eric W. Gaberlein; her parents Gail and George Bowersox III; her brother and his wife Jennifer and George Bowersox IV and their children Cassidy and George V; her sister Heather Bowersox and her son Louis; her maternal grandmother Florence Wheat; her mother-in-law Susan Gaberlein; and her sister-in-law Amy Gaberlein; along with aunts and uncle and their children and grandchildren and so many friends that became family over the years.

A visitation for Tara will be held on Sunday February 24th, 2019 from 2:00PM-4:00PM with a Celebration of Life at 4:00PM at MINQUADALE FIRE COMPANY 129 East Hazeldel Ave New Castle, DE 19720; followed by food and socialization with family and friends. All family, friends, and children are welcome. Please wear something pink and keep it casual.

In leu of flowers, the family asks for donations in Tara’s name to the Helen Graham Cancer Center and Research Institute 4701 Ogletown-Stanton Road, Suite 1213, Newark DE 19713 to help others further their battle and to find cures.