1925-2015

During the afternoon of March 20, 2015 at Royal Jubilee Hospital surrounded by her family Mabel in her 89th year peacefully laid down her life’s burdens and joined her beloved parents Robert & Lavina Duncan, sisters Mary (Russell Farwell), Frances, Lovina, Alice, Florence, Margaret, Annie (Bert Ellner), Myrtle (Garnet Dobson) & Phyllis, one brother Robert Duncan Jr., son-in-law Bruce Creswick, nephews Russell Farwell & Dan Dobson, niece Carol O’Connor, great-nephew Robert Gustafson and great-niece Stephanie King, sister-in-law Agnes Duncan, and entered into the loving embrace of her Saviour Jesus Christ.

Mabel was born 21 October 1925 in Delia, Alberta the youngest child of Robert & Lavina.  Mabel’s early childhood was marked by adventures, school and a loving family.  Along with her older brother Bill, Mabel was known to climb the windmill, play in the hayloft, and in the winter to take off for a late afternoon skate on the pond and in the summer they loved to sneak away to pick all they could eat of the wild strawberries.  They were a pair that needed to be closely watched.

Mabel lived for a short time in Maple Creek and Medicine Hat before the family settled in Saskatoon.  While in Saskatoon Mabel had a large circle of friends and enjoyed city life.  Concerts, parties and girl guides became part of Mabel’s active life.

In 1942 the family moved to the farm on Mt. Newton X Rd. In Saanich.  It was from here that she would ride her bike to high school and later to her job as a telephone operator.

After the farm was sold the family moved into Victoria and even though there were plenty of buses Mabel saved up for driving lessons and her first car…very much against her father’s wishes.  She was proud to be the only girl in her family to drive.  Mabel also enjoyed dance lessons and was known to be an accomplished dancer in the foxtrot and polka.  It was at a dance where Mabel was swept off her feet by a young handsome Norwegian named Martin Hoydal; soon Mabel’s dance card had only one name for all the dances.

On 20 April 1957 Mabel and Martin were married and started their new life together.  Two years later their daughter Carolyn was born, followed by a second daughter Cathryn.  Mabel had always said that she wanted a baseball team family of boys but was just as happy with her two daughters.  She finally got her sons when Carolyn married Bruce Creswick and Cathryn married Spencer Payne.

As the girls grew Mabel’s driving came in handy.  She would often pack Carolyn and Cathryn, her sister Annie and nieces Teresa and Sandra into the car for a trip to Hunter’s Holiday Ranch for horseback riding, an afternoon picnic and swim at Prospect Lake Park, hikes at St. Francis Park or trips over to Salt Spring Island to stay at their cabin.  While at the cabin Mabel was known to give the under-aged drivers their very first lessons behind the wheel of her car up and down the gravel road in front of the cabin.  Mabel also was known to push back the living room furniture and give foxtrot or polka lessons to anyone that asked and at times when Martin wouldn’t join her for a dance, Mabel could be seen dancing by herself in the living room.

Mabel was always happiest with a dog at her side and a baby in her arms.  She was almost always the first to see and cuddle the new babies in the family but none gave her more joy and happiness than her grandchildren Matthew, Ashley, Nicholas, Catelyn and Christopher.

Although Mabel was not athletic she loved her Blue Jays baseball team and was able to travel to Seattle to see them with Martin several times.  She was a keen follower of figure skating especially Brian Orser and Kurt Browning.  Although she had no claim to any ties to England, she was an enthusiastic royal watcher.  Mabel was known to phone to make sure her sisters, daughters, and nieces were watching when the major royal events were taking place no matter the time of day or night.

She was an avid reader; among her favourites were Anne of Green Gables and The Girl of the Limberlost.  She enjoyed hooking rugs and knitting sweaters.  She was such a perfectionist that a nearly finished sweater had to be redone because one stitch was out of place.  Mabel was known for her roast lamb, Norwegian meatballs and Aunt Jenny spritz cookies.

Mabel lived her life to the fullest but let people know she was always a prairie girl at heart.

She will be dearly missed and mourned by her beloved husband Martin, daughters Carolyn Creswick of Salt Spring Island, Cathryn Hoydal-Payne (Spencer Payne) of Victoria, grandchildren Matthew & Catelyn Creswick, Ashley, Nicholas & Christopher Hoydal-Payne, brother William Duncan.  She also leaves to cherish her memory many nephews & nieces, great-nephews & great-nieces.

When we are finished with this sadness that we feel right now, we know we will remember her with great joy.

No service by Mabel’s request.

McCall Bros. Funeral Home

www.mccallbros.com

  • Geir Høydalsvik

    Hello to my Canadian family
    My father’s mother, Signy was Martin’s sister.

    Touching to read about Mabel, the prairie girl at heart.
    I remember visiting both Mabel and Martin in 1993 at their home.
    I hope to see some of you relatives in Norway soon. You are always welcome.

    All the best from Geir Høydalsvik, Norway

  • Margaret Dobson

    Uncle Martin, Carolyn and Cathryn, I was surprised to receive the fb message from Teresa today. I’m sorry for your loss. As a young child, Auntie Mabel was my favourite aunt. I have memories of her taking us kids to the beach and just being with us. She won’t be forgotten.
    Margaret

  • Allison Gratz

    Our condolences to you all. Thank you for sharing stories of Aunt Mabel in this wonderful obituary.
    Much love, Allison, Mike & kids

Leave Condolence

Type your condolence message into the box below and click "Submit". It may take up to 24 hours for it to appear. Your email address will not be published.

*

Search Website

ESTATE PLANNING SEMINAR