Gabriella O. Pellicani, former student at St. Mark’s Nursery School, dies at age 5

Gabriella O. Pellicani, a former student at St. Mark’s Cooperative Nursery School, died on Oct. 16 after a fight with brain cancer. She was 5.

Gabi, as she was called by family members, was born in New York City and lived in the Fort Greene neighborhood of Brooklyn until age 4. She attended the Girafas Portuguese immersion preschool and the A. Fantis Parochial School for pre-kindergarten. Her family moved to Rockville Centre in June 2017, and she attended the St. Mark’s Cooperative Nursery School. Last December, Gabi was diagnosed with midline diffuse glioblastoma, an aggressive and largely incurable form of brain cancer.

As an aspiring princess, Gabi’s beauty was evident in her colorful drawings, songs of friendship and the seasons, and dances in sparkly gowns. Through her genuine kindness and fearless and independent spirit, Gabi left an immeasurable mark on countless friends and family members of all ages. Her light will continue to guide all who had the privilege of knowing her. 

She is survived by her parents, Fabiana and Nicholas, and her younger brother, Antonio. To honor her life, a grand remembrance event was held at St. Agnes Cathedral on Oct. 22, and Gabi was laid to rest at St. Charles/Resurrection cemeteries in Farmingdale.

Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be made to support pediatric brain cancer research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Visit www.myjimmyfundpage.org/give/gabistrong for more information.