Mabel Florence Stover Carey

SOUTH PORTLAND - Mabel Florence Stover Carey, 102, of South Portland, died May 27, 2014. She was born in Penobscot, Maine, on July 29, 1911, the oldest daughter of Edwin W. Stover and Hazel G. York. Mabel grew up on her grandfather's farm in Orland, Maine, and attended the local schools. She met and married her husband John C. Carey, a World War I veteran, on July 30th 1932 in North Dexter Maine. They built their first house across the street from her grandfather's farm and had three children, Gene, Evangeline and Rosalie. During World War II, the Carey family moved to the South Portland area where husband John worked in the shipyards. Son Gene served in the Navy during World War II, and both daughters graduated from South Portland High School. Mabel worked 10 years for a Seaboard Packing Company and then for Shaws grocery stores for almost 18 years. After retiring from Shaws, Mabel became a gifted crafter and she knitted and crocheted many colorful afghans and stuffed animals, along with quilts, to sell at local craft fairs. Mabel's family always came first and she was always intensely interested in what was going on in their lives. She loved cooking for her family and had a passion for taking care of her beautiful flower and vegetable gardens. Mabel also loved to travel and was able to visit Ireland, Hawaii, and enjoy many cruises, including one through the Panama Canal. Mabel kept her mind sharp with the daily newspaper, crossword puzzles, and watching Jeopardy and the Wheel of Fortune. She was an avid Boston Red Sox fan and a longtime member of the V.F.W., Auxiliary Post 832, and a member of the Irish American Club. Mabel was predeceased by her husband John C. Carey, in 1986, after more than 50 years of marriage; by sisters, Glenice A. Barnard and Beverly E. Votaw; brother, Edwin W. Stover, Jr.; son-in-law, Theodore T. Briggs; daughter-in-law, Dolores Carey, and great grandson, Aaron J. Bergeron. Mabel is survived by her three children; Gene A. Carey, Evangeline Briggs, Rosalie Bergeron and her husband Robert Bergeron. She is also survived by one sister Marion Williams. Mabel is also survived by six grandchildren; Gene A. Carey II, Steven Bergeron, Susan Paetz, Christine Fossett, Marie Briggs, and Theodore Briggs II. Mabel has eight great- grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Visiting Hours will be held 5-7pm Friday May 30th at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. A service will be held at 10am on Saturday May 31st at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the American Cancer Society, Inc., New England Division, One Bowdoin Mill Island, Suite 300, Topsham, Maine 04086.Online condolences may be expressed below.