Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Mass for Mary Ann Gabelman is Friday


[She is the mother of Susan (Tom) Liggett, grandmother of Erin and Anna Liggett]

Mary Ann Gabelman, 76, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on March 23, 2009 after a long illness.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald, and one grandchild.

Mary Ann was a homemaker for 57 years. Also, she was a talented seamstress and a dedicated volunteer. Her clothing designs ranged from simple summer shorts, to exquisite prom dresses for her d
aughters, to a family baptismal gown that has been worn by many of her grandchildren. Each grandchild received a homemade quilt from Grandma on the day of their birth. She also helped design and sew costumes for many Hoban High School musical productions in the early 1980's. She was a lifelong member of Immaculate Conception Church and belonged to the Altar and Rosary Society. Additionally, she was a long time volunteer at the Interval Brotherhood Home.

She leaves her children, Donald (Mary Alice), Robert (Kathleen), Patricia (Russ) Wilson, Mary Ellen (Rocky) Dysart, Catherine (Gil) Shepherd, and Susan (Tom) Liggett. She also leaves 15 grandchildren, Jared, Shiloh, Nathan, Angela, Hannah, Nicole, David, Kristina, Joshua, Jeremiah, Justin, Jonathan, Jordan, Erin, and Anna; and three great-grandchildren, Sabrea, Davis, and Daniel.

Also surviving is her faithful cat, Chloe, and many other relatives and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church (2101 17th St. SW) followed by interment at Holy Cross Cemetery. Friends may call from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Dunn-Quigley Funeral Home (811 Grant St.) prior to the Mass.

The family would like to thank the staffs at Chambrel at Montrose (especially the wonderful nurses and aides in Heatherwood Hall), and Hospice of Summa for their care and support. In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Mary Ann's memory with a donation to your favorite charity.

``May the Lord's face shine upon you, Mom, and give you peace forever."
[Beacon Journal, Akron, OH, Wednesday, March 25, 2009, page B6. col.. 3 ]

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

A St, Patrick's note from Akron



It' s time again to wish a "Happy Birthday" to my great-great grandmother Eliza Cotter who would be 182 years old this St. Patrick's Day. She was born on a March 17 near Newry in County Armagh.

She had a daughter, Mary Elizabeth "Mollie" (my great-grandmother), who like my granddaughter Anna was born on Christmas Day. And, of course, my other granddaughter is named Erin. Myself, more like an ordinary three-leaf clover, was born on the third day of the third month of 1930.

~~Harry Liggett