Mabel Elizabeth Brown

Mabel Elizabeth Brown

     Peacefully on Wednesday, January 12th, 2022, Mabel Elizabeth Brown passed away at the age of 92 years at the Lions Prairie Manor.

     Mabel was born on May 8th, 1929 at Wingham, MB.  She was the only daughter of Tom and Florence Gallacher.  Mabel attended her first four years of school at Wingham Consolidated.  Transportation consisted of horse drawn vans in the summer and sleigh vans with a small stove, to provide some heat in the winter.  Mabels’ only sibling Robert, was born in 1937. 

     In 1939, the Gallacher family moved into Oakville, where Mabel continued her schooling to grade 11.  During this time, she became involved in the Knox United Church Sunday School and Canadian Girls in Training.  Mabel joined the Oakville Sewing Club along with Edna Miller, creating projects such as hemming a tea towel by hand to sewing a tailor-made suit.  The two gals entered a Provincial competition for the right to represent Manitoba Sewing Clubs on the National level held in conjunction with the Toronto Winter Fair in November 1948.  They proudly came home with a fifth-place dominion standing.  This is where Mabel and Harold first met.  Harold was representing the Manitoba Beef Clubs.

    Mabel worked in Oakville at the Post Office and the General Store till the fall of 1949.  With an opportunity of employment at Prior’s Ladies Wear, she moved to Portage.  In 1951 Mabel took a job at The Canadian Bank of Commerce where she worked as a teller.  In April of 1953, Mabel and Harold married at Trinity United Church in Portage.  They resided in Portage for 3 years, then moved to Rignold, MB in 1957.  Then an opportunity rose to move to High Bluff in 1961, for more productive land.  It was here they settled down for the next 50 years and raised their three sons. 

     Mabel was an avid ten pin Bowler back in her day, also an active member in the community.  She spent many years reporting the High Bluff News to the Portage paper, long-time treasurer of High Bluff United Church as well as a member of the U.C.W., the Dale Ladies Community Club and a member of the Central Plains Chapter of Multiple Sclerosis Society.  She enjoyed: working in her garden, tending flowers, baking, canning, sewing, and needle work.  Mabel always had time for a good long visit on the phone with her many friends. 

     Mabel was Harolds’ personal secretary; fielding phone calls, relaying messages and accompanying Harold to numerous Fair Board and Municipal conventions as well as the Portage Ex.    All were done with extreme pride.

     Mabel and Harold enjoyed entertaining, socializing and dancing with a life-long group of friends.  They also had a passion for travelling, taking trips to Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, England, Scotland, Churchill and several Caribbean cruises.  Mabel and Harold were fortunate to celebrate their 25th, 40th, 50th and a 60th Anniversary in 2013. 

     Mabel moved off the farm to town in 2012, where she enjoyed many new friends at Windsor Estate and, also to be close to Harold while he resided at Lions Prairie Manor.  Mabel herself became a resident on Parkside at the Lions Prairie Manor in 2017.  She participated and enjoyed many activities and outings, a highlight being a fall farm tour this past October 2021.  

    Mabel was predeceased by her loving husband Harold of 61 years in 2015, her parents Tom and Florence Gallacher, brother and sister-in-law Robert and Pat Gallacher, parents-in-law Roy and Ida Brown and brother-in-law Arnold Brown. 

     Mabel is survived by her three sons; Garry (Patti) of High Bluff, their children; Amanda (Jeff) Mulligan and great-grandchildren Jake, Austin, Rhett and Ella of Rosser, MB, Andrew (Alyssa) of High Bluff and April of Portage, son Bruce (Yvette) of High Bluff, their children; Jeffrey of High Bluff, Marc (Lindsay) of Oakville, son Dale (Carolyn) of Portage, their son; Cody (Samatha) of Oakville.  Sister-in-law Diane Brown of Sidney, Australia, nieces JayAnn (Bruce) Lloyd of Winnipeg and Robyn (Larry) Poschenrider of Portage, along with their families. 

     The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at the Lions Prairie Manor for the excellent care Mabel received. 

     In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the MS Society of Canada, Manitoba Division 100-1465 Buffalo Place, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 1L8 or Lions Prairie Manor Foundation, 24 – 9th St. SE, Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N 3V4. 

    Due to the Covid 19 restrictions a private family service and internment will take place.  The Brown families would like to thank friends and neighbours for their thoughts and prayers. 

   The recording of the service and a video tribute will be available on the Omega Funeral Home website once completed.   

 Messages of condolences can be made online at www.omegafuneralhome.com.

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