Mabel E.  Rumsey

Mabel E. (Whitaker) Rumsey, a lifelong resident of Enfield, NY, passed away at Beechtree Care Center August 26, 2013 at the age of 95.

Mabel was born October 15, 1917 in Enfield Center, to the late Leroy and Edith (Lindow) Whitaker. The eldest daughter in a family of ten children, Mabel assumed the mothering duties after losing her mother at the age of fifteen.

Mabel married the late Walter F. Rumsey in 1937. Together they raised a family of five children. She devoted the early years of her marriage to raising her children and living a farming life. As her children grew up she took a job at NCR Corporation where she worked for sixteen years until her retirement. Mabel was a longtime member of the Enfield Valley Grange and Senior Citizens. Both Mabel and Walter were active members in the Enfield Volunteer Fire Company and Auxiliary for many years, and enjoyed marching in parades around the area and cooking chicken for the annual carnival. After losing Walt in 1968 Mabel carried on alone, never losing her love of life and family.

Mabel had a lifelong love for poetry, gardening and baking. After her retirement in 1982 she enjoyed many trips and adventures with her family. Mabel spent the last few years of her life in the loving care of her daughter Betty and her husband Richard. For which Mabel and the rest of Mabel’s family are forever grateful.

In addition to her husband she was predeceased by her eldest son Donald. Also preceding her in death were her brothers Paul, Ralph, George and Roger Whitaker, sisters, Ethel Fenicchia, Alice Teeter and Ruth Chapman. Mabel is survived by her children Betty (Richard) Mitstifer of Ithaca, Esther Adams of Wilmington, NC, Florence (Anthony) Scaglione of Brooktondale, Douglas (Sharon) Rumsey of Ithaca, and daughter-in-law Kathy Rumsey of Trumansburg; as well as two sisters, Helen Nelson and Lillian Willett; grandchildren, Mark, Robert, Cheryl, Mike, Mary, Matt, Jessica and Allison; and fourteen great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 11:00am to Noon on Friday, August 30, 2013 at Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South Street in Trumansburg. A funeral service will then be held at Noon at the funeral home, prayers of committal will be held at Enfield Christian Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Mabel’s name to the Enfield Valley Grange #295, Enfield Main Road, Ithaca, NY 14850 or the American Heart Association, National Center, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas TX 75231.