McDOWELL, Mabel F.
Pictou

McDOWELL, Mabel Frances (nee Munro) -89, of Pictou passed away October 25, 2013. Born in 1924, Mabel was the youngest of four daughters born to Ashton and Mabel Munro. Mabel’s youth spanned the challenging yet vibrant years of the 1930’s and 1940’s – a period which undoubtedly gave her a solid grounding for her future life. For the better part of a century the Water Street Munro home was a welcoming place for many family, friends, and the occasional stranger in need. Mabel was a diligent student in her youth, graduating from Pictou Academy as the Silver Medalist. She continued on to earn a degree from Acadia University. After graduation she worked for a period for the Royal Bank in Halifax. She married and then busily began raising four children. After years in Halifax and a brief period in South Africa, she returned to Pictou with her four young children. Mabel re-entered the working world in 1972, working at McCulloch Junior High School and later at the Operations Department of Pictou District School Board, retiring in 1991. Mabel will always be remembered as a wonderful mother. She had a sharp mind well into her senior years, and openly embraced computer technology as evidenced by her communications to and from family. As well, Mabel was an avid reader and was very engaged in her church and community. Mabel is survived by her four children, Nancy Steele (David), Pictou; Jennifer; Woodstock, N.B.; Michael (Darlene), Eureka; Rob McDowell, Pictou; and Lisa McCara, friend; her grandchildren, Clare, Hannah, Amy, James, Logan, Daniel, Annika, Peter, Thomas, and great grandson, Cameron. She also had several close nieces and nephews, as well as close family friend (and “adopted little sister”) Jean Tremaine. Besides her parents, Mabel was predeceased by infant son, Mark and sisters, Margaret Timpson, Jane Wisener, and Annabel Munro. Visitation will be held 2-4 and 7-9 PM Monday in McLaren Funeral Home, Pictou. Funeral will take place 2:00 PM Tuesday from St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Pictou, with Jacquie Ross officiating. Burial will be in the Haliburton Cemetery. Donations in her memory may be made to IWK Health Centre Foundation or Canadian Diabetes Association.