Obituary of Alline Gambal

Alline Gregory Gambal, 72, is rejoicing in Heaven with her Lord and Savior and loved ones who went before her, due to Alzheimer’s, COVID-19 and Hypoxic Respiratory Failure on 11/25/2020. As a cousin put it so well “I’m sure Dorothy was waiting for her to cross over and grab her fast as she could and give Alline a BIG FAT MAMA’S HUG!!!!!"

Alline was born and grew up on a farm in the beautiful rolling hills of London, KY, where she attended Hazel Green High School and made life-long friends. She finished her last year after moving to FL in 1964 at Gulf High School. Alline moved to Indianapolis, IN the following year and worked for RCA Records for 10 years before moving to Houston, TX and then to San Antonio in 1977. Alline became a Texan, in love with her Big Sky Country.

She went to a seminar about selling Real Estate and decided that was what she wanted to do. Alline started with Century 21 Action Realty in 1985 and became one of the top salespeople in her region. She moved on to work with RE/MAX from January 1996 until she retired. Real Estate was the perfect occupation for Alline due to her infectious smile and habit of being complimentary to others which made their day. She sold a lot of real estate!

Alline was a breast cancer survivor, having a mastectomy in October 2008 which she didn’t allow to slow her down at all or make her self-conscious. Soon after that she was in a car accident where another car slammed into hers. After that her advice to everyone was to never buy a gray or silver car because other drivers can’t see it. She did love red cars and often commented on how pretty a red car was now and then out on the roads.

She also denied Alzheimer’s and fought a good fight with everything she had to maintain a normal lifestyle for years before accepting help. She used to say “I’m old and decrepit” and laugh or just say I don’t remember so well anymore. Another thing Alline often said was “I’m a good person.” And she sure was. I can’t remember a time when she wasn't good to me or anyone else. She was always kind and willing to help. She loved taking family and other visitors all around her beloved San Antonio.

One of her greatest gifts was an amazing sense of humor. She was so much fun to be around. She loved going to Mexican restaurants and judged whether they were good or not by their salsa. She loved collecting recipes from friends and made the best fudge and festive cheese balls for Holidays (Does anyone do that anymore?), as well as the first “sausage” gravy I ever ate. Back in KY or FL, Mom just used whatever grease we had, usually bacon. One of Alline’s prized possessions was a cookbook by someone in the Hagee Ministries in San Antonio.

Alline was so proud of her forest of large trees in her front yard that she planted as saplings. She was diligent in keeping a compost pile for her garden, whether she got around to planting one or not.

Although Alline chose not to have children because she didn’t want to have to deal with them as teenagers, she loved babies and young children, who were equally attracted to her. Her step granddaughter Hannah, as a young child, used to follow Alline around everywhere, even when she went outside to smoke. They would sit at the table outside and have pina coladas, Alline’s version of a tea party.

Sincere gratitude is extended to Pacifica Senior Living Memory Care and Casa de la Luz Hospice in Tucson, AZ for taking such good care of Alline, especially during a time of healing to bring her back to a stable condition after a stay in the hospital for a lung illness in February 2019. She graduated from additional hospice care on 3/1/2020 after gaining back 28 pounds due to the care and love she received.

Alline was preceded in death by her loving husband of 17 years, Edward Gambal, mother Dorothy Brashear Gregory Bailey, stepfather William (Bill) Bailey, father Ray Gregory, stepmother Dorothy McFadden Gregory, brother Johnny (Louise) Gregory and stepdaughter Anita Ainzworth.

She is survived by siblings Kenneth (Molly) Brashear, Nora Gregory, Barbara (Patrick) Aland, Vela (Gregg) James and Deborah Weekes. By stepchildren Michael (Jada) Gambal, Christopher Gambal, Rachel (Nathan) Rogowski  and Patrick (Bobbie) Kane as well as numerous step grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and friends. She is greatly loved and will be missed by all who knew her.

Graveside service will be held Thursday, December 10, 2020, 9:30a.m. at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, TX. Attendees should gather at Shelter 3 at 9:15a.m. after entering the gate to be led to the gravesite.

If you feel led to make a donation in lieu of flowers, Alline donated to the VFW, Alzheimer’s and breast cancer foundations, John Hagee Ministries, or other organization that you may prefer.