MABEL DOROTHY COOK (SNELL)

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MABEL DOROTHY COOK (nee SNELL) Peacefully on Wednesday, August 6, 2003 at the Seven Oaks Hospital in Winnipeg, Mabel Dorothy Cook, aged 84 years passed away. Mabel is predeceased by her husband Elmer Cook; her brother Reuben Snell; and sister Myrtle James. She leaves to mourn her passing her brother and sister-in-law Murray and Norma Snell (Port Alberni, BC) and her daughter Karen Starke; son-in-law Herb; grandchildren, Kristopher and Kailee Watts; step-grandsons, Christopher and James Starke; and great-granddaughter Sydney Starke. Also surviving are her sister-in-laws, Margaret Snell and Roberta Cook of Gladstone and Ruth Cook of Winnipeg; as well as numerous special cousins, nephews, nieces and their families. Mabel was born in Oglivie, MB on November 5, 1918 to Frank and Annie Snell. She spent her childhood, school and young adult years in the farming districts of Plumas and Gladstone, using her many natural talents working at child care, cooking and cleaning for various farm families in the area. Leisure time was spent attending dances, box socials, picnics and rural community activities. She later moved to Winnipeg with her mother and began her city working years with Picardys Candy Factory and Bond and Ronald Chocolates. In October of 1945, she married Elmer Cook from Gladstone and they resided in Winnipeg. When their only child, Karen was born in 1950, Mabel retired from work outside the home to become a full time mother, which she continued to do until her last days. Her passions continued from her country roots and she took great pride in gardening, canning, sewing, loving animals and pets of all kinds, and providing a warm and nurturing family home for her husband and daughter. Her constant source of joy were her two grandchildren, Kris born in 1977 and Kailee born in 1980. She enjoyed the privilege of watching them grow into wonderful young adults. A few years after her husbands death in 1987, Mabel gave up the responsibilities of the home on Truro Street that they had shared throughout their whole married life and moved to Hamilton House senior apartments in Winnipeg. There she began a new decade of wonderful experiences, formed lasting friendships and enjoyed expanded opportunities for outings and entertainment for herself. She also served on the board of Hamilton House and continued her gardening in the plots there. Eventually needing more daily help, in 1998, Mabel moved again and took up residence in a granny suite that she and her cats watched being custom designed and built with her in mind at Karen and Herbs home in East Selkirk. With the kind attention of her daughter and her family and Selkirk Home Care services, Mabel maintained her independence and was able to remain living with her family around her until her recent decline in health. Thank you to the Grace Hospital, Charleswood Care Centre, and Seven Oaks Hospital for the compassion shown to Mabel in these past four months. She always did the best she could with every situation and persistently overcame seemingly insurmountable challenges from her various disabilities. She showed a remarkable resilience to the difficulties that life sent her way and has been an inspiration to her family. Mabel firmly believed that some day in the sweet by and by that we will all meet on the beautiful shore. Until that time, we miss you deeply and love you fully. Funeral service will be held in the Gladstone United Church, Gladstone, MB on Monday, August 11 at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow in the Gladstone Cemetery. A memorial service will also be held in Winnipeg at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mabels memory to the Heart and Stroke Association, Manitoba Lung Association, or CancerCare Manitoba. Arrangements entrusted to: Clarkes Funeral Home 1-204-385-2274

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 09, 2003