Patricia Hogenmiller Vernon, Cape Gazette co-founder, editor

Longtime Cape Gazette editor and all-around great gal Patricia “Trish” Hogenmiller Vernon, 71, passed away peacefully at home Monday, Oct. 30, 2023.

Born April, 20, 1952 in Pittsburgh, Pa., to an Air Force family, Trish was in for a life of adventure. After quick stops in Germany, Maine, Oklahoma, California and Nevada, Trish and family returned to Pittsburgh.

On Sept. 12, 1960, the family, now including Trish’s younger brother Tom and sister Sue, received the horrible news that their father, Maj. Gerald Hogenmiller, who was in charge of training and academics at the Fighter Weapons School, Nellis AFB in Nevada, had died while training younger pilots. This news was especially difficult for their mother, Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Kirby Hogenmiller. The next day, Trish’s youngest brother Gerald “Jerry” was born.  

According to Trish, her mother earned her moniker of St. Betty while keeping the family together, close and loving.  

After matriculating through St. Teresa of Avila Elementary and Vincentian High School, with some help from knuckle-rapping nuns, Trish attended Chatham College in Pittsburgh until her graduation in 1974.

During this time, her mother Betty met a wonderful man, widower Dr. Charles “Papap” Gabos, of Pittsburgh. His seven children, in addition to Trish and her siblings, made for quite the Brady Bunch situation under one roof, but nobody resorted to (reportable) violence.

Prior to her graduation, Trish and a group of very good friends would come down to Rehoboth Beach during the summers to waitress at the Sea Horse Restaurant, among other establishments.

After deciding to move to Rehoboth full time after graduation, Trish was hired as a cub reporter at The Whale newspaper in 1975. This was the beginning of the second half of Trish’s life. It was there that she met Dennis Forney, her business partner and great friend for the next 48 years. 

Also during this time, Trish met a local man, Geoffrey “Geoff” B. Vernon, whom she married and would go on to have a baby boy with, Glenn, in 1979. Geoff, Trish and Glenn would remain extremely close until Geoff’s death in October 2017.

After working their way through the ranks at The Whale, Dennis and Trish decided it was time to establish a newspaper that focused solely on local issues. Also on board were trusty colleagues Sandy Barr, Dave Frederick, Cat Tanzer, Kathy Emery, Steve Hoenigmann and Denise Marshall. Thus, the Cape Gazette was born in 1993.

It was through the Cape Gazette that Trish met so many people in the local community. She always cherished meeting with a local citizen, whether a politician or bartender (maybe ‘almost always’ with regard to the politicians).

She truly valued her role as being the Switzerland of the Cape Region, believing that everyone deserves a voice, but fighting no one. As the Cape Gazette continued to grow, she especially thrived in mentoring many young journalists who would go on to publish at the Gazette and elsewhere.

When the Cape Gazette was sold to longtime employee Chris Rausch in 2021, Trish finally earned a well-deserved break. Travel was a lifelong joy, and with companion Douglas Wingate, she was able to see many foreign sights including Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Amsterdam and Portugal. Italy with Paul and Bonnie Cullen was a special treat as well.

In addition, Trish spent much of her time volunteering or associating with many local organizations. Those closest to her heart included the Rehoboth Art League, Meals on Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth, CAMP Rehoboth, and DeVries Business & Professional Women.

Trish is predeceased by her father, Maj. Gerald Hogenmiller, USAF, and Dr. Charles Gabos.

Trish is survived by her mother, Elizabeth Hogenmiller Gabos; son, Glenn Vernon and daughter-in-law Charity Vernon; brother, Thomas “Tom” Hogenmiller and family; sister, Susan “Sue” Hogenmiller Mergenthaler and family; brother, Gerald “Jerry” Hogenmiller and family; Charles “Boats” Gabos and family; Richard “Dick” Gabos and family; Robert Gabos; Carole Gabos; Dr. Dennis “Denny” Gabos and family; David “Dave” Gabos and family; and Gary Gabos and family. Trish is also predeceased and survived by so many wonderful friends and accomplices. 

A public celebration of Trish’s life will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Friday, Nov. 10, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, with a small service from 12 to 1 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth, mealsonwheels-lr.org.