Obituary of Mabel Florence Alexander

Mabel Florence Avanizino was born on Jan 21, 1929. She was the third daughter of Ralph and Florence, with older sisters Laurine born in 1919 and Ruth in 1926. The family had made the move from Boston to the hills of southwest Saskatchewan near the Star Butte country school. After completing Grade 12, Mabel went to Medicine Hat to attend the Jacobson's School of Beauty Culture. She got her certificate, but shortly after her mother became ill and died in 1949. This is when Mayland Alexander, who worked for Ralph at one time, appeared in the picture. Mabel had decided nursing was a better profession and had enrolled in nursing school. On March 31, 1951, Mayland (Punch) and Mabel got married and soon after Joe was born on September 9, 1952 with Mike following on January 22, 1955. Mabel had quit the nursing program; getting married and children had changed her course. Punch's Dad, Roscoe, had homesteaded land in the Doe River, B.C. area and in 1956 Punch and Mabel moved to Dawson Creek. Punch went to work trucking up and down the Alaska Highway. On May 25, 1959 their daughter Toni was born followed by their third son Clay on August 23, 1961. About this time Dorothy Stefanyk moved in with Mabel and Punch to help with the kids. Dorothy stayed until she graduated and remained a lifelong friend of Mabel's. Over the years they had acquired land in Doe River. They purchased a house in 1966, and moved the house to the Doe River farm. Their life was going on relatively well until Punch passed away in 1991. This was a shock to everyone and shook Mabel's world to the core. She was a very independent lady and lived on the farm in Doe River until her passing on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 in Dawson Creek, B.C. at the age of 88 years. She will be sadly missed by many. Mabel's family would like to extend a Thank You to the Doctors and Nurses at the ER, the Rolla Bible Baptist Church Ladies, North Rolla Community Hall, Doe River WI, and everyone else who helped out with the luncheon, Richard, Sandy and Ami at Reynars Funeral Home, and to John Wagner. Mabel was predeceased by her parents Ralph and Florence, her husband Mayland, her son Joe, granddaughter Kali, and her sisters (Queenie) Laurine and Ruth. Mabel is survived by her son Michael, daughter Toni, and son Clay (Donna), her grandchildren: Nona, Kim (Murry), Shanell, Jackie, Mayland, Nicole, Julia, Josey, and Ciarra, as well as her great grandchildren: Austen, Payden, Rylen, Donovan, Shayla and Jeremy, along with many nieces and nephews. A Funeral Service was held on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 at 1:00 PM at the Rolla Bible Baptist Church. Pastor Gary Henderson officiated. Interment followed in the Rolla Cemetery. Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home and Crematorium Funeral Service 1:00 pm Wednesday, April 19, 2017 Rolla Bible Baptist Church 617-400 Avenue Rolla, British Columbia, Canada V0C 2G0