Mabel Aileen Gaither was born December 15, 1925 to Parthena and William Gaither in Miller, Arkansas. Mabel grew up with her many siblings on the family farm and lived an agricultural life during the “great depression” where she learned the value of hard work and developed her “independent streak” that she would carry with her for her entire life. At the age of eighteen, she left the family farm and moved to Memphis, Tennessee to work in the war effort at a munitions plant. Later she would join so much of the southern population at that time, in the migration to California and the promise of better days. It was there that she was introduced to David Livingston by relatives. David and Mabel had grown up only seven miles apart in Arkansas, but they had never met before. Mabel and David were married in October of 1945 and thus began their lifelong journey together for sixty-one years until David’s passing in 2006. Their daughter Patricia was born in 1951 and a son, Ron followed in 1956. The majority of mom and dad’s life revolved around raising their children and their involvement with the large contingent of relatives that were readily abundant on both sides of the family. In the early years, Mabel was a constant hunting and fishing companion to her husband as well as the consummate mother and housewife. Mabel was an early believer in work outside the home, and during her long life, was extremely proud of all of the numerous jobs and positions that she had held. During the sixties and seventies she worked for the local Hazel’s Candies Corporation and rose to a management position.
Mabel traveled many miles in her lifetime, and all along the way she made numerous friends, from the cotton fields of Arkansas, to the land of opportunity in California, and finally to the fertile Yakima Valley. She shared many joys and adventures with her husband David and their family on this trek through life.
Mabel attended many congregations during her lifetime of faith, but the majority of her worship was at Ahtanum Pioneer church, which she and David were involved in helping build. The journey finally ended on Saturday morning September 9, 2017 while surrounded by family and friends at the Cottage in the Meadow in Yakima, Washington.
In Mabel’s passing, the family would particularly like to recognize the support of Doctor Julia Robertson and Doctor Albert Brady who were both so influential in providing compassionate care, and allowing mom to live such a vibrant and active life for nearly ninety-two years. A special thank you as well to the gracious and caring staff of Cottage in the Meadow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in her name to Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine, 200 University Parkway, Yakima, WA 98901.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. at Terrace Heights Memorial Park. Arrangements are by Rainier Memorial Center of Yakima.