Gabrielle Lynne Meece

     Gabrielle Lynne Meece, age 40, of DeWitt, MI, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, surrounded by her family.
      A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Catholic Community of St. Jude, DeWitt, MI, at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, March 16, 2026, with Rev. Fr. Dave Speicher presiding. Burial will take place at Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns, MI. Visitation will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, M I, on Sunday, March 15, 2026, from 2-8 P.M. with the family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. A Rosary will be prayed Sunday Evening at 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Visitation will also be held on Monday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of mass at the church.
     Gabrielle was born in St. Johns, MI on September 23, 1985, the daughter of Joseph R. and Anita D. (Orson) Olney. She graduated from University of Michigan - Flint with her Bachelor’s Degree in Organized Communication with a focus on event planning. On June 25, 2016, Gabrielle married the love of her life, Gregory Robert Meece, Jr., at St. Martha's Parish in Okemos, MI. They spent over a decade traveling all over Michigan and Pennsylvania, building a family, and maintaining their gardens together. She would become the most amazing stay at home mom when her daughter, Catherine, came along in 2018.
      Gabrielle was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). Given only a few days to live, she was flown to Philadelphia and received the Norwood Procedure from Dr. Norwood at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). As an early survivor of HLHS and one of the first to reach adulthood, she helped pioneer the way for a generation to follow. She accomplished many things that her doctors thought she would never be able to achieve, including practicing martial arts, graduating from college, and having a child. Gabrielle was a tireless advocate for others with congenital heart defects (CHDs) and for the sick in general. She used her skills to fundraise for CHD awareness and to make prayer blankets for friends in need.
      Gabrielle loved crafting, and was very skilled in crocheting and resin artwork. She enjoyed frequent road trips around the state with her mother and daughter. The trio would make regular trips to their cabin, and other parts of Michigan.
      Gabrielle was a devout follower of Jesus Christ, and a member of St. Jude's Community Catholic Church. She will be greatly missed by her church family.
      She is survived by her loving husband Greg; her daughter Catherine, her parents Joseph Olney and Anita Olney; her brothers: Thomas (Amber) Olney, and Martin Olney; her niece Melonie Frushour; her nephews: Jason Frushour, Logan Olney, Gunner'V Olney, and Hunter Olney; many aunts, uncles, and cousins; and her cat Simba. She was preceded in death by her grandparents: Frederick and Doris Orson; and George and Virginia Olney.
      In lieu of flowers, memorials in Gabrielle's honor may be made to American Heart Association, the Capital Area Humane Society, the Ronald McDonald House, or the National Shrine of St. Jude. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.