It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Gabriela Renee Ridings, lovingly known as Gaby, who left us on October 9, 2024, at the age of 20. Born on January 23, 2004, in Chicago, Illinois, Gaby spent her formative years in Evanston, Illinois, and graduated from Evanston Township High School in 2022. She was a junior at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, where she pursued her passion for helping others by majoring in Nursing and minoring in Marine Science.

Gaby was a vibrant young woman known for her boundless energy and compassionate spirit. A black belt in Tae Kwon Do, she demonstrated discipline and strength in every facet of her life. Gaby was a talented artist, had a deep love for cats, cherished sushi dinners with friends, and found joy in connecting with her gaming group in Florida. She loved sweets of all types, but her favorite was classic New York-style cheesecake. She adored listening to her favorite bands-Twenty-One Pilots and Pearl Jam-and was a fan of 80s and Ghibli movies, with Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Top Gun, Vision Quest, Totoro and Spirited Away being among her favorites. She also loved Anime and Manga. The fall season, with its crisp air and warm colors, and the Halloween holiday, was her absolute favorite time of year.

Gaby was a passionate traveler who explored the world with her parents. She cherished her trips to enchanting destinations such as Disneyworld, Hawaii, and the Philippines. Gaby and her family often found solace and happiness at Black's Cliff Resort in Wisconsin, where they created lasting memories with their dear friends, the Symersky's. One of her most treasured vacation experiences was at Discovery Cove in Orlando, where she spent the day swimming with dolphins and chasing stingrays.

Her dream was to combine her love of nature and healing by becoming a nurse and eventually living in a peaceful lakeside cabin in Wisconsin. Though her time with us was far too short, her warmth, kindness, and determination left a lasting impact on all who knew her.

Gaby was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, John Ridings Sr., her paternal great grandfather James Ridings; her paternal great grandmother, Angelica Ridings; her paternal great grandfather, James Clark; her paternal great grandmother, Lavenia Clark; and her maternal grandfather, Salvador "Papa Buds" Peroy.

She is survived by her loving parents, John and Rowena Ridings, along with her three cherished cat companions, Lovie, Daisy, and Jean. Gaby will be deeply missed by her paternal grandmother, Charlotte Ridings; her aunt, Jana Ridings; her uncle, Mark Ridings; and cousins, Jay and Bailey. On her maternal side, she is remembered with love by her grandmother, Salvacion Peroy; her auntie, Joy; and her uncle, John. A portion of Gaby's ashes will be brought to the Philippines by her parents, where her Filipino family will hold a wake in her honor. She will be laid to rest in a family plot, surrounded by generations of loved ones.

In recognition of Gaby's dedication to nursing, Nova Southeastern University has honored her with a commemorative brick in their sidewalk, a distinction usually reserved for graduates.Gabriela cherished NSU and loved the nursing program.

October is Eczema Awareness Month, a time to recognize the daily struggles faced by those with this condition. Gaby courageously battled eczema every day, and in her honor, her parents are dedicated to supporting efforts to combat this debilitating disease. Additionally, a cat rescue will be established in her name in her mother's hometown of Davao City, Philippines, reflecting Gaby's deep love for animals and her compassionate spirit.

Per her wishes, Gaby is to be cremated at Broward Funeral Choices in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. A private gathering to help celebrate Gaby's life will be held at Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington, Illinois. A public Mass for Gaby will be held at 11:00am Saturday, November 30, 2024 at St. Athanasius Parish in Evanston, Illinois. Visitation will be from 10:00am until the time of the Mass.

Memorial contributions may be made at https://www.nova.edu/give/. In the first 2 dropdowns, please select: 1. Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing and 2. Gifts in Memory of Gabriela Ridings. In the optional section: 1. Check "I am giving in memory of someone" and type in Gaby Ridings 2. Please notify John Ridings at jridin3@gmail.com