Roberta Joan Gamel

Roberta Joan Gamel, was born on July 11, 1947 in Portland, Maine. She was known to most as "Bobbie," and more lovingly to her two grandchildren, as "Gaga." Bobbie lived a life of kindness toward others and of love for family. She passed away on July 28, 2026 in Boise, Idaho. She was 79.

As a young girl, Bobbie experienced the world. As a result of her father's career with Morrison Knudsen, her family spent years living in different countries. She told stories of the interesting friends she made from Tangiers to Lisbon to Chile and beyond. She talked of adventure and of the excitement going to school with people from vast cultures. In the end, Bobbie learned to appreciate everyone she met.

Despite her world travels, Bobbie knew where home was, along the rocky coastline of Maine. The family returned there just in time for her to graduate from South Portland High School. Bobbie would later accompany her family to Idaho where her dad went to work on the Hell's Canyon Dam project. It was there that Bobbie met Patrick Gamel, who was a payroll bookkeeper for the project. She started as his secretary, but was ultimately replaced because Patrick said she talked too much! No matter, the two continued to enjoy each other's company. They started going on dates to the bowling alley and even went waterskiing on the Snake River. They often laughed at the stories from that time.

Ultimately, Patrick gave Bobbie a promotion as his partner in life. The two married in Boise, Idaho in 1967. They built a life around their two daughters, Kim and Seana. Bobbie was the best mom. When her children left home for school and work, Bobbie was always there to pick up the phone. When Seana married in 2006, Bobbie claimed Lee-Mark Ruff, not only as a son-in-law, but as one of her own. She always gave good advice and the best hugs. When her grandchildren, Alia and Eli, came into the world, Bobbie was over the moon. She was famous for her homestyle meals, a passion for live Maine lobster and "jiffy" cooking, but more than anything in the world, she loved being with her family.

After the bumpy start with her first "boss" in Hell's Canyon, Bobbie redeemed herself with a long and respected career as an administrative assistant. She was a self-proclaimed "control tower," for the Boise headquarters of MK, and later for the human resources department at St. Luke's Hospital. She retired from her favorite job as administrative assistant with Terry Reilly Health Services in Nampa in 2022. Even in her retirement, Bobbie sought to be active in her community as a volunteer with Nampa First Church of the Nazarene.

Bobbie leaves behind a piece of her heart in her daughter and son-in-law, Seana and Lee-Mark Ruff of Boise and with her two grandchildren, Alia Ruff and Eli Ruff. She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Barry and Patty Sherwood and brother-in-law. Perley Morin. Bobbie is preceded in death by her husband, Patrick Ernest Gamel (1941-2024) and by her daughter, Kimberlie Renee Gamel who passed away in June, 2026. Her parents, Robert and Dorothy Sherwood await her with loving arms in heaven alongside her younger sister, Wilma Jean "Billie" Morin. Bobbie was known in life for her unconditional love and acceptance. She talked often of her village and of all her "kids," from her years of life and love. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

A memorial service for Bobbie will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, September 19th at Bowman Funeral Home in Garden City, Idaho. Bobbie will later be laid to rest nearby her sister and their parents in Maine.