Celia Gabriela Urquijo

Celia Gabriela (Escobar) Urquijo, 47, of Greensboro, North Carolina, passed away on December 31st, 2025, at Beacon Place in Greensboro, North Carolina with her daughter by her side.

Gaby was born June 9th, 1978 in Santa Ana, El Salvador to Imelda (Ortiz) Escobar and Luis Escobar. She made her way to the United States when she was 3 years old, where her family landed in San Francisco for a short time and eventually settled in Los Angeles, California.

Gaby went to LA High School and later Fairfax High School in Los Angeles. During her junior year of high school, her and her family relocated to Greensboro, North Carolina, where she attended Grimsley High School for the remainder of her secondary education.

Gaby married her high school sweetheart, Michael Urquijo on June 13th, 1996 in Greensboro, North Carolina. Together, they had a daughter, Isabella, 28, and a son, Michael (Ryan), 23. Michael served in the navy, Gaby, a naval spouse, spent their early adult years from station to station with their children in tow. They lived in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Seaside, California, and Lakeside, California before ultimately settling down closer to Gaby’s family in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Gaby started her professional studies at GTCC in early childhood education and enjoyed her time as a teacher at Creative World Preschool. Gaby had her eyes set on a second career with sincere interest in the legal field and ultimately earned her associate degree in paralegal studies at GTCC while working at the school and raising her family. She became a case manager for Egerton & Associates, PA and enjoyed her new career for a time.

Gaby was known for her physical beauty, but those that knew her, knew that her true beauty was the love and kindness that she gave freely and completely. Gaby was a lively spirit with a deep love for music and culture, something passed down from her father, Luis, and a strong devotion to family, something passed down from her mother, Imelda.

Preceded in death are grandmother, Celia, father, Luis, sister, Stephanie, and aunt, Margarita.

Remaining to cherish Gaby’s memory are spouse(separated), Michael, daughter, Isabella (and Grant), son, Michael (Ryan), mother, Imelda, sisters, Beatriz, Jessica, and Joanna, niece, Celeste, nephews, Marcus, Mason, cousin, Yani (and Alicia) and many more beloved family members and friends in California.

Special thank you to the staff at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, Wesley Long Hospital Emergency Room, AuthoraCare Collective and Beacon Place for their special care and support during Gaby’s final days.

Endswell Funeral Home in Hillsborough, North Carolina has been entrusted with Gaby’s care. Service and Celebration of Life information to follow.