Obituary of Mabel Mary Johnson

Mabel Mary Gobles Johnson of North Oriental Ave., Bemus Point, died at her home at 11:30 p.m. on October 23, 2011. She was the fourth of four children born to Charles and Mary Gobles, born on February 22, 1921. Her birth name, Mary, was changed to Mabel when she was four years old and her mother died. Her new name was given her by her stepmother, Eva Gobles. Mabel graduated from Bradford High School in 1938. Mabel was the wife of the late Robert R. Johnson. Mabel met Bob through Bob's sister, Wanda. Their wedding took place in a small white church in Lafayette, PA. on June 1, 1942. Shortly after marriage Mabel became a typist for the War Department in Washington D.C. while Bob was in the Armed Services. For many years Bob would add a rose to a bouquet of roses presented Mabel on their anniversary. Their last anniversary, their 67th, was spent quietly together at home, but their 60th was celebrated both at the Fluvanna Church where Mabel and Bob attended for well over fifty years, and at a large family gathering at the Athenaeum Hotel at the Chautauqua Institution. Bob and Mabel built their small home in Oriental Park where they raised five boys. Two of those boys, John and Dick, live in the area still. The twins, Bob and Bill, live in Florida and South Carolina respectively, and Tim lives in Massachusetts. Mabel raised a sixth boy named Thomas, who lived for less than one year. Those five boys had their mother hopping during their upbringing and Mabel's house was the neighborhood hangout for many of the dozens of children that grew up nearby. Those boys loved pets, and Mabel was game for the many creatures they introduced to the household along with the family dog, Jigs. The menagerie included a spider monkey, an alligator, an Amazon parrot, a dozen quail, rabbits, mice and of course garter snakes, turtles and frogs gathered from the nearby swimming hole the kids called, the "crick." Mabel was a loving supporter of her son Tim's yearly backyard circus, a crowd pleaser. Mabel's father, Charles, modeled a passion for nature; a passion Mabel explored herself during her lifetime. In their stronger years Mabel and Bob were avid organic gardeners. They raised most of their own vegetables and berries which Mabel canned and froze for the winter. The term "buy local" was nothing new to Mabel and Bob and they were well acquainted with the local apple, pear, cherries, peach and grape orchards in our area. They and their boys would pick fresh produce for Mabel to can and preserve. Those who had the fortune of eating Mabel's cooking were always treated to delicious healthy meals. No recipes were required in Mabel's kitchen. A pinch of this, a handful of that resulted in artful meals. Mabel loved flowers and lined her little yard with every kind of flower and plant imaginable. Her favorite flowers were wild, and Mabel's table always included the likes of buttercup, daisy and wild aster. She saw no sense in calling any flower a weed. Mabel added to her family's income by seasonally picking grapes in Westfield, working as a store clerk at the Top Value stamp store, once next to Super Duper and a cook at a local church camp and a house to house salesperson for Ecco Powder and Avon. Mabel was a devout member of the Fluvanna Community Church where she brought her freshly scrubbed boys each and every Sunday. Mabel was church treasurer for many years, a Sunday School teacher and a church Deaconess. During their last years together, Bob and Mable conducted Monday night prayer group in their home where Mabel's pies were a big hit. She was also a den mother for the Cub Scouts pack in Bemus Point. Mabel is survived by 11 grandchildren: Sonja, Jeremiah, Sarah, Charlotte, Kristin, Daniel, Jessica, Jennifer, Jolene, Justin and Chloe. A 12th grandchild, Kyle, was killed in a traffic accident in Florida a month ago. She is survived also by four great-grand-daughters: Allison, Britta, Sydney and Emma. Mabel was preceded in death by James Gobles, Fred Gobles, Marvin Gobles and Donald Gobles, Wilma Blake-Gouin. She is survived by her sister Joyce Buck of Cottage Park, Oregon. The definition of true grit, Mabel Johnson will long be remembered for her kind and loving heart and her strong determination to help all in need no matter the sacrifice. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Dayle F. Keefer will officiate. Burial will be in Fluvanna Cemetery. Friends will be received for one hour prior to the service Wednesday in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Fluvanna Community Church Building Fund, 3363 Fluvanna Ave. Ext., Jamestown, NY 14701. You may light a candle in remembrance of Mabel at www.lindfuneralhome.com