Mabel Anne Sturgess Pennell's Obituary
Mabel Anne Sturgess was born July 29, 1915 in Clive, Alberta, Canada, the second of three daughters to English parents, Harry and Miriam Green Sturgess. The family moved west when Mabel was very young to British Columbia, then south to Longview, Washington where Mabel attended grade school.
Being sensitive to spiritual things, Mabel gave her heart to the Lord at a young age and was baptized in the Cowlitz River. The family later moved to St. Helens, Oregon where Mabel attended St. Helens High School and graduated as salutatorian in 1934. She began a career in communications as a telephone operator the next day.
She met her future husband, Lotus Pennell on the golf course, where he later told her "I like your golf swing? you have great form". During their marriage the Pennell's enjoyed traveling to Europe and many other places. They especially enjoyed cheering on their favorite football team, the Oregon State Beavers.
Mabel was a member of the Telephone Co. Pioneers and active in the Deer Island Extension, Christian Women's Club and Grace Baptist Church. When able she delivered meals on wheels for the Senior Center. She found great pleasure in visiting the sick and lonely to bring them some cheer. Mabel enjoyed working in her garden, watching things grow, and weighing her tomatoes year after year. She also had a heart for animals; loving the many pets she had through the years.
The Pennell's had no children, but were fondly known as Aunt Mabel and Uncle Lotie to their nieces, nephews and neighborhood children for several generations.
Her beloved husband, William Lotus, preceded her in death. She is survived by nieces: Shirley Hettick, Joy Burck, and Daphne Butcher, nephews: Bruce Sharpe, and Bill Pennell; their families and many neighbors and friends.
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