Once upon a time in Lahaina, Maui on September 1, 1941 a future-funny, rascally, entertaining, singing, hula-girl named Felicidad “Fely" Evangelio Julia Gabriel was born to Alvaro Gabriel and Maring(Maria) Evangelio. She had 9 siblings: Sonny, Elinor, Clarence, Isidoro, Florence, Lolita, Sundae, Michael and Angelito.
Fely was raised in Kalihi and went to Farrington High School, graduating in 1959. A natural at singing and hula, she, along with her sisters Florence and Lita, performed locally as the Gabriel Sisters. Gabby Pahunui featured her with two songs on his recording Hawaiian Slack Key: Guitar with Singing Volume 1.
Later, she was part of Alfred Apaka’s show at the Kaiser/Hilton Hawaiian Village. While there, she met Clint Names who was in attendance at one of her shows with his University of Washington basketball team. They were married later that year, in 1960. They had 3 children together, Rick, Kappy and Curtis.
Always one for center stage, her entertaining career took her to the 1964 New York World’s Fair and abroad. She continued to sing and dance in a Polynesian review in the Seattle area through the late 70’s and into the early 80’s.
Fely enjoyed many things in her life. First and foremost being her big, loving Ohana, followed by cooking, eating (SAIMIN!), singing, dancing, being a jokester, leg wrestling, swap meets, and designing jewelry. Fely was also an ardent sports fan and one could hear her regularly cheering on the Supersonics, Mariners, Seahawks and University of Washington and University of Hawaii teams.
You could always see Fely with a flower in her hair, as she lived all of her days with the Aloha spirit. Her jewelry designs were inspired by this spirit and making jewelry was her favorite pastime. She loved talking story with her community while selling at the local markets.
Fely is survived by her siblings: Eleanor DeJesus, Clarence (Mary) Gabriel, Florence Matsukado and Sundae Funai. Her children: Rick (Maddie) Names, Kappy Names, Curtis (Tory) Names. Her grandchildren: Larissa (Abel) Jackson, Clint (Jane Allyn) Absher, Karly Absher, Kailani Names Calkins, Savannah and Wyatt Names as well as 2 great grandsons Declan Jackson and Crew Norris Absher.
A funeral gathering in her honor will be held on Tuesday, November 1, 2022, 11AM; burial will follow at 1PM. Hawaiian Memorial Park Cemetery 45-425 Kamehameha Highway Kaneohe, HI 96744
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