Kim Marie Gabrielson, 71, of Chesapeake Beach, MD, passed away on March 20, 2024, after a long battle with cancer. Kim was born on December 3, 1952, in Santa Ana, California. A descendant of the early Bushard family of Huntington Beach, Kim was the oldest child of James and Dolores Way. She attended Dwyer Elementary School and then Edison High School in Huntington Beach. At Edison, she was a member of the Drill Team, Diving and Swim team and Tennis Team. She had a younger brother Craig, plus two younger sisters, Shannon and Shawn.

Kim’s father was the Director of Beaches in Huntington Beach, while her mother was a housewife. Kim’s mother was also a competitive bowler and influenced Kim to take up bowling as well. During the summers, Kim was employed by her uncle, Director of Parks & Recreation Norm Worthy, as a recreation leader with kids. She kept that interest and attended Orange Coast College graduating with a Physical Education/Recreation AA Degree. She was also on the Tennis Team at Orange Coast.

Soon after graduating, she met her eventual husband Bruce C. Gabrielson. Their first date was at a dance contest, which they won as a pair. She became his instant tennis partner, competing in many tennis events throughout their marriage. Because of all the activities she was participating in, she quickly gained an interest in photography. This became a passion, leading to her career as a photographer.

Besides traditional weddings and photo shoots, her primary focus was on action sports photography. In the 1990s, she won a scholarship to the New York Institute of Photography, gaining a Photography Certification. It was at this point she opened her photography business, Mirror Image.

Kim went on to become the team photographer for the ice hockey team at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, and the Wrestling Team at the University of Maryland. She continued with photographing wrestling at the University of Maryland until her death. Kim was found mat side at many wrestling events capturing photos for wrestlers of all ages. When she wasn’t behind a lens you could find her tinkering with the various arts and crafts. She loved making things for people based on the season as this was her hobby of choice.

Kim is survived by her three children, Tarin N. Araujo and Jurandir “J” (son-in-law) of Laklenad, Florida, Jason B. Gabrielson and Jill (daughter-in-law) of Chesapeake Beach, MD, and Kevin B. Gabrielson of Costa Mesa, California. She is also survived by her 5 grandchildren, Mason, Clayton, Eli, Kaylyn, and Claudia. She loved her family and loved to support them in their endeavors, while capturing every memory through her lens.

A Celebration of Life will be held on June 29th at Emmanuel Church, 3800 Old Town Road, Huntingtown, Maryland 20639

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Southern Maryland Wrestling Club at PO Box 550, Chesapeake Beach, MD, a family organization that Kim was passionate about and helped to create.