Gabriella Anne Tambourelli

Gabriella Anne Tambourelli, 35, of Delaware, was born on September 28, 1990, and passed away on Friday, April 3, 2026, in Georgetown, Delaware. She is survived by her two beautiful children, Gianna Elizabeth Tambourelli and Adriano Barahona-Tambourelli, and her parents, Penny Badders-Rogers and William Rogers of Pike Creek, Delaware, and Jon and Susan Tambourelli of Florida, along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Gabriella lived a life marked by compassion, resilience, and a deep desire to help others. She was a proud graduate of Delaware Military Academy, and it was during those years that she began working at Café Napoli, later continuing at Trattoria di Napoli. What started as a job became something much more. She often said that her time as a server taught her life skills that carried into every aspect of her life moving forward. It was also during this time that she learned one of the values she carried throughout her life, that friends are the family we get to choose.

Those experiences, along with her own personal journey, shaped the path she would later take in the recovery field, which she considered her greatest professional accomplishment. Gabriella previously worked in recovery at Kirkwood NET Center, where she poured her heart into helping others. She lived her life with addiction and recovery out loud. She did not hide her struggles. She refused to be quiet about something that takes so many people in silence. She believed that the stigma surrounding addiction is what keeps people sick, ashamed, and alone, and she was determined to break it. She knew that silence had already taken her brother, that the weight of shame during his addiction kept him suffering in the dark, and she refused to let that be the story for someone else.

She believed that by speaking openly about her experiences, someone else might find the courage to keep going. She believed people deserved to be met where they are, not judged for how they got there. She wanted others to know that even in their darkest moments, they were still worthy of love, of help, and of another chance.

She didn’t just believe this. She lived it.

She went above and beyond for those she worked with, often making sure someone got into treatment or simply felt less alone. Many families have shared that she followed up with them, offering words of encouragement late at night and speaking openly about how her brother and his death impacted her and her family. She did this in hopes that others would understand they are loved, even in their deepest, darkest moments. Since her passing, her family has received an overwhelming outpouring of messages sharing how kind, selfless, and impactful she was.

She had an enormous heart, was a loyal friend, and found great pride in the work being done through Face the Facts in her brother Vincent’s name. She never missed an opportunity to share how meaningful it was to see something positive come from loss. She was also incredibly proud of her home in Georgetown, Delaware, something she worked hard for and was able to purchase several years ago, a place that meant so much to her. She was always grateful for the village of people who helped her build up her volunteer hours through Habitat for Humanity in Sussex County, which made that home possible.

She is preceded in death by her beloved brother, Vincente Jon Tambourelli.

Her family would like to express their deepest gratitude for the incredible outpouring of love and support shown during this time. The texts, cards, flowers, meals, gift cards, and countless hugs have brought comfort beyond words. While the loss of their only daughter is unimaginable, they find peace in knowing Gabriella was welcomed at heaven’s gate by her beloved baby brother, Vincente, who she lovingly called “Pincie.”

All services will be held in the HALL at St. Mary of the Assumption Church (not in the church itself). Visitation will take place on Saturday, April 18th from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, followed by a service at 12:00 PM. A luncheon will immediately follow from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. All are welcome to attend the visitation, service, and luncheon.

St. Mary of the Assumption Church

7200 Lancaster Pike | Hockessin, DE 19707

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gabriella’s name at:   https://www.degives.org/fundraisers/in-memory-of-gabriella-anne-tambourelli

or by Mailing Checks to : 2801 Fawkes Drive | Wilmington, DE 19808

We are deeply grateful to Sal at Corleto-Latina Funeral Home for taking care of everything with such compassion, kindness, and dignity. Corleto-Latina Funeral Home is also a proud preferred provider and community partner of Face the Facts Delaware and the Vincent Tambourelli Family Assistance Fund. During a time when so much feels overwhelming, his guidance, care, and attention to every detail brought our family comfort and peace. We truly appreciate all that he has done for us.

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