Gabrielle Brouillette

Gabrielle Brouillette, 67, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at her home on August 5, 2025, after a courageous battle with breast cancer. In her final moments she was surrounded by her husband, son, and her “girls” (poodles). 

Born Doris Gabrielle Brouillette on September 13, 1957, she was one of five children of the late Andrew and Dolores Brouillette. She grew up in a French-Canadian neighborhood with extended family and where French was often spoken with loved ones. Her family and friends at the time all called her Dot. Ever independent, Gabrielle decided when she went to college to be known by her middle name. She eventually changed her name to D Gabrielle Brouillette. 

Gabrielle earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Massachusetts Lowell while working in the pharmaceutical industry and went on to receive her Ph.D. in Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the University of Florida. 

Gabrielle’s career reflected her dedication to science and innovation. She served as a Research Fellow at the National Institutes of Health for three years, a Patent Examiner for pharmaceuticals at the United States Patent and Trademark Office for 12 years, a Patent Agent at Novartis for three years, and a Transaction Manager for discovery sciences at Merck for 13 years. 

She married Michael Phelan, who preceded her in death (1991), and found love again with her husband, Joseph DeGeorge, with whom she shared a rich and joyful life. After four years of dating, the two eloped and went to Europe in July 1997, celebrating their 28th wedding anniversary this summer. Gabrielle was a devoted mother to her son, Joseph “Trey” DeGeorge III, of Arlington, VA. 

Their home life was very active, with a vacation home in the Poconos, and full of rituals that almost always involved friends— including a post-Thanksgiving soup day where friends and neighbors joined in, and “pajamas Christmas,” when they and anyone who visited wore PJs all Christmas Day, even when they traveled. Gabrielle was a thoughtful and gracious host who prepared well-thought-out meals for all events, keeping a log so as not to serve anyone the same meal twice. She was also a loving mother to a collection of standard poodles over the years, one of which she trained as a therapy dog to comfort children while reading and adults in elder care facilities. 

Gabrielle’s faith was important to her, and she was connected to both the Catholic Church and the Unitarian Universalist community. Her passions included gardening, gourmet cooking, therapy dog work, entertaining loved ones, antique hunting, and planning family travel adventures, all of which she executed with grace and a love of life. 

Joe and Gabrielle moved to Chapel Hill five years ago after retiring. Gabrielle had been diagnosed with and treated for breast cancer more than 20 years earlier, and it returned three years ago. She maintained her optimism, courage, and kind nature throughout her life. 

Those who knew Gabrielle will always remember her as a warm, loving and caring person whose enthusiastic, generous and positive spirit and ever-present smile touched everyone she met. She made close friends wherever she lived and treasured those connections for life. 

A memorial service will be held on September 27 at 2 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Pelham, 3 Main Street, Pelham, N.H., with Rev. Carlos Jauhola-Straight officiating. For those who cannot attend in person but would like to participate in celebration of Gabrielle, the service is planned to be streamed (contact immediate family members for details). 

Gabrielle was cremated, with arrangements by Walker’s Funeral Home of Chapel Hill, N.C. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation in Gabrielle’s memory. (Breast Cancer Research Foundation, 28 West 44th Street, Suite 609 New York, NY 10036) 

Gabrielle is survived by husband, Joseph DeGeorge, Waymart, PA; son, Trey DeGeorge, Arlington, VA; and her four siblings: Louise (John) McClellan, Plymouth, MA; Jeannine (Wayne, deceased) Hight, Pelham, NH; Diane (Roland) Morrissette, Pelham, NH; Paul Brouillette (Neil Miller), Somerville, MA; sister-in-law Carol (James) Weitsen, Auburn, CA; and numerous nieces and nephews and their families. 

Gabrielle’s bright light will be deeply missed, but her love and legacy will live on in the hearts of her family, friends and all whose lives she touched.