Obituary for Mabel Doreen Hewitt (Sawyer) (Brannigan)
In Loving Memory of Mabel Doreen Hewitt –
May 13, 1924 – March 15, 2023
Passed peacefully in her sleep with family by her side on March 15, 2023 at the age of 98. Preceded in death by cherished husband and partner, Basil. Dear mother and counsellor to Tanya Yearwood (Paul), Colleen Hewitt (Robert Bonspiel deceased in 2022), Kim (Andrea) and Kirk (Nancy). Also preceded in death by husband and lifetime friend Keith Brannigan.
Born May 13, 1924 in Maple Lake, Mabel was a pioneer for independent women her entire life. She started her career as a young teenager working with her mother, Ruth Sawyer, at the telephone switchboard in Maple Lake. With the coming of WWII, she jumped at the opportunity to serve her country and joined the Woman’s Division of the RCAF, training in Yorktown Saskatchewan. Her diligent work ethic soon resulted in a transfer to Command Headquarters in Ottawa where she worked until the end of the war in 1945.
Shortly after her return home, she fell in love with Basil. They were married in Maple Lake in June 1947 and started their farm on their homestead in Minden. Mabel also worked at the telephone switchboard in Minden and took in boarders at the house. She continued to progress on her educational courses and realized her career dream of teaching. She would go on to teach secondary school in Lively, Fenelon Falls, and Haliburton, preparing young people with necessary business skills. Mabel and Basil also shared a devotion to the Minden Fair. Mabel’s chocolate cake, pies and garden-grown vegetables were annual red ribbon winners and Basil was a regular participant and judge in the livestock competitions. Their Sundays were centered around family and St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Minden.
With her endeared partner Basil’s passing in 1978, Mabel ventured into real estate to supplement her income. She eventually purchased the Fireside restaurant that is now The Mabel Brannigan Royal Canadian Legion Branch 636, a very rare honour to a woman veteran. Mabel dedicated a great deal of her later life to Legion activities, becoming President of the local chapter and a reliable poppy provider for November 11 of each year. This led her to a dear friend in Keith Brannigan whom she married in December 1981. They lived in Haliburton and then Carnarvon and cared for her parents, Ruth and Elmer, at home. With Keith’s passing in 2003, Mabel moved to the former Cupboard Store at Horseshoe Lake, later taking residence back in Minden, where she lived her final years. She continued her education into her eighties, taking university courses and traveling to England and Russia with her sister Audrey. She had ardent penmanship and literary skills that led to 17 editions of her war memories being published in The Highlander in 2020 (still in the archives). She was often used as a historical source for locals researching family trees. Mabel’s legacy will always be defined by her much loved 10 grandchildren and many great grandchildren.
The family is forever grateful to the Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHSS) caretakers that came to the house to care for Mabel. They include: HHSS Coordinators, personal support workers and palliative care nurses. Also, our heartfelt thank you to Dr Tilbrook, the St Elizabeth Hospital palliative care nurses, the wonderful support from the Veterans Administration and granddaughter Robin who became her devoted companion right up to the time of her passing.
A Celebration of Mabel’s Life will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion Br. 636, 12847 Highway35, Minden on Thursday, August 17th, 2023 with a social gathering starting at 2:00 pm and a Service at 2:45 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to The Royal Canadian Legion, Minden No. 636 Branch Poppy Fund and can be arranged through the Gordon A. Monk Funeral Home Ltd., P.O. Box 427, Minden K0M 2K0
www.gordonmonkfuneralhome.com
May 13, 1924 – March 15, 2023
Passed peacefully in her sleep with family by her side on March 15, 2023 at the age of 98. Preceded in death by cherished husband and partner, Basil. Dear mother and counsellor to Tanya Yearwood (Paul), Colleen Hewitt (Robert Bonspiel deceased in 2022), Kim (Andrea) and Kirk (Nancy). Also preceded in death by husband and lifetime friend Keith Brannigan.
Born May 13, 1924 in Maple Lake, Mabel was a pioneer for independent women her entire life. She started her career as a young teenager working with her mother, Ruth Sawyer, at the telephone switchboard in Maple Lake. With the coming of WWII, she jumped at the opportunity to serve her country and joined the Woman’s Division of the RCAF, training in Yorktown Saskatchewan. Her diligent work ethic soon resulted in a transfer to Command Headquarters in Ottawa where she worked until the end of the war in 1945.
Shortly after her return home, she fell in love with Basil. They were married in Maple Lake in June 1947 and started their farm on their homestead in Minden. Mabel also worked at the telephone switchboard in Minden and took in boarders at the house. She continued to progress on her educational courses and realized her career dream of teaching. She would go on to teach secondary school in Lively, Fenelon Falls, and Haliburton, preparing young people with necessary business skills. Mabel and Basil also shared a devotion to the Minden Fair. Mabel’s chocolate cake, pies and garden-grown vegetables were annual red ribbon winners and Basil was a regular participant and judge in the livestock competitions. Their Sundays were centered around family and St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Minden.
With her endeared partner Basil’s passing in 1978, Mabel ventured into real estate to supplement her income. She eventually purchased the Fireside restaurant that is now The Mabel Brannigan Royal Canadian Legion Branch 636, a very rare honour to a woman veteran. Mabel dedicated a great deal of her later life to Legion activities, becoming President of the local chapter and a reliable poppy provider for November 11 of each year. This led her to a dear friend in Keith Brannigan whom she married in December 1981. They lived in Haliburton and then Carnarvon and cared for her parents, Ruth and Elmer, at home. With Keith’s passing in 2003, Mabel moved to the former Cupboard Store at Horseshoe Lake, later taking residence back in Minden, where she lived her final years. She continued her education into her eighties, taking university courses and traveling to England and Russia with her sister Audrey. She had ardent penmanship and literary skills that led to 17 editions of her war memories being published in The Highlander in 2020 (still in the archives). She was often used as a historical source for locals researching family trees. Mabel’s legacy will always be defined by her much loved 10 grandchildren and many great grandchildren.
The family is forever grateful to the Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHSS) caretakers that came to the house to care for Mabel. They include: HHSS Coordinators, personal support workers and palliative care nurses. Also, our heartfelt thank you to Dr Tilbrook, the St Elizabeth Hospital palliative care nurses, the wonderful support from the Veterans Administration and granddaughter Robin who became her devoted companion right up to the time of her passing.
A Celebration of Mabel’s Life will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion Br. 636, 12847 Highway35, Minden on Thursday, August 17th, 2023 with a social gathering starting at 2:00 pm and a Service at 2:45 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to The Royal Canadian Legion, Minden No. 636 Branch Poppy Fund and can be arranged through the Gordon A. Monk Funeral Home Ltd., P.O. Box 427, Minden K0M 2K0
www.gordonmonkfuneralhome.com