Mabel Bartlett (nee Gillingham)
November 23rd, 1939 to April 23rd, 2025
Passed away peacefully at the John M. Gray Long Term Care Facilities in St. Anthony, NL surrounded by her loving family. Mabel was born in Safe Harbour, Bonavista Bay to Charles and Fannie Gillingham (nee Fifield).
Mabel leaves to mourn:
Children: Margaret Winter (Bruce), Terry (Sadie Carroll), Eugene (Maria), Karen Patey (Enos), Marilyn Earle (Wayne), Dean (Susan), Rynette (Mike McCarthy), Frances (Chris Phillips).
Grandchildren: Greg, Lisa, Bobby, Jessica, Keith, Melissa, Jennifer, T.J., Stephen, Dean Jr., William, Andrew, Jennilee, Brian, Jamie, Keira, Kaden; 20 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
Siblings: Annie Wiseman, Edgar, Jack (Edna), Sisters-in-law: Jessie and Doris; and a large extended family and many friends.
Mabel is predeceased by:
Husband: William (Bill) Bartlett (66 years together)
Parents: Charles and Fannie (nee Fifield) Gillingham
Mother-in-law: Effie-Mae Laundry (nee Bartlett)
Sisters: Gladys (Harry Woodland), Bessie, Sister-in-law Joyce
Brothers: Fraser and Maurice
Great-Grand-daughter: Mackenzie Saunders
Every spring, Mabel’s parents would pack up their family, and steam to Quirpon on one of the coastal boats, like the Northern Ranger, Burgeo, and the Kyle, that travelled around Newfoundland during those days. They would fish for the summer in Quirpon and then return to Safe Harbour in the fall.
It was on one of those many trips that Mabel met and eventually married the love of her, life Bill Bartlett, to whom, as a young girl, she liked to say “I hates you old Bill Bartlett”. Never-the-less, they married on November 9th 1956 and went on to raise 8 children together (5 girls and 3 boys).
For many years, they followed in Mabel’s parents footsteps, packing up their four children and travelling between Quirpon and Bonavista Bay. Until their last fateful trip when the steamer ran aground with them and Mabel’s brother Jack onboard, leading Mabel and Bill to settle the family full-time in Quirpon, before welcoming their next four children.
Bill went away during the winter months for work and returned home each Spring to prepare for the fishing season. Mabel raised their children, during those long months alone, and despite many hardships she persevered, raising a strong and united family.
She worked on the fish plant for many years, while raising her family until she finally said “I quit”. She gave up packing fish to join Bill in the boat deciding to catch the fish instead.
The Orange Lodge was important to Mabel, being a member from a very young age, she also played a significant role in the community, contributing to the UCW, Navy League, Come Home year celebrations and so much more.
In her retirement years, Mabel developed Dementia, causing her much anguish. Bill lovingly cared for her in their home into his early nineties. As Dementia took its toll and she needed increased support for her wellness, she became a resident of the John M Gray Long term Care Facilities.
Visitation is being held at the Central united Church in Quirpon beginning Saturday, April 26th 2025 from 2-4 and 7-9pm, the funeral service will be held at 2pm on Sunday April 27th, 2025 with Majors Anthony Stokes and Beverly Dart Stokes. burial will follow the service in the Quirpon Community Cemetery.
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