Gabaldon was born on January 11, 1952, in Scottsdale, Arizona, United States, the daughter of Jacqueline Sykes and Tony Gabaldon (1931–1998), an Arizona state senator from Flagstaff for sixteen years and later a supervisor of Coconino County.
Gabaldon lahir pada 11 Januari 1952, di Arizona, anak perempuan dari Jacqueline Sykes dan Tony Gabaldon (1931-1998), seorang senator negara Arizona dari Flagstaff selama enam belas tahun dan seorang supervisor dari Coconino County.