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Mabel Irene McBEAN

March 8, 2008

Mabel Irene McBean, (nee Gauthier) died peacefully with her family on March 8, 2008 in London, Ontario, at the age of 94.

Predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Wilfred Parker McBean (1996).

Her three sons and their wives, Dr. Robert and Marilyn McBean of Overland Park, Kansas, Dr. Gordon and Patricia McBean of London, Ontario, and Dr. Edward and Leslie McBean of Waterloo, Ontario, survive Mabel. Her family also includes eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren in British Columbia, Ontario, Oregon, Kansas, and North Carolina.

Born in Zealandia, Saskatchewan, on March 28, 1913, daughter of Joseph Thomas Alexander (“Sandy”) and Mabel (nee Cairns) Gauthier, Mabel grew up in Chilliwack, British Columbia, where she married Parker on October 9, 1935. Her sisters, Alfreda, Grace, and Elva, and her brothers, Cairns, and Almon predeceased her.

The rest of her life would see long-time residence in Vancouver with later years spent with Parker in Chilliwack.

Mabel and Parker wintered for 20 years at Trailer Village in Mesa, Arizona, where both of them were the life of many parties and activities.

After Parker’s passing, Mabel made her home in the Central Park Lodge in Toronto and then moved to London, Ontario, residing at Chelsey Park Retirement Community and then Extendicare nursing home.

Wherever she lived, Mabel attended services as a lifelong member of the United Church.

While she and Parker raised their three sons, Parker was an expert cabinetmaker and she owned and operated a ladies’ wear store in Vancouver.

She loved to play cards, sing, dance, play the organ, swim, do crossword puzzles, and travel the world with Parker.

Ultimately, what defined Mabel was her compassion and committed love for her family and the many friends Mabel and Parker made everywhere they went. Her family was blessed beyond measure to have had her for a Mother, Grandma, and Nana.

Mabel’s family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff and residents at Extendicare London for the great care she received and the sense of love of an extended family.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made toward Alzheimer’s research.

There will be a private family memorial service.

Mother, thank you for being you. We will always love you.

(www.harrisfuneralhome.ca)



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