Disabled Montco Resident, 95, Inspired Many With Amazing Life

Obituary courtesy Mary Gable's nephew, Frank Schaller

ROYERSFORD, PA — In the last months of her life when people would reach out their hand for a handshake, Mary would reach out her arms for a Hug and spontaneously say “I love you”.

Mary Gable died December 9, 2019, at the age of 95, in the prayerful and loving arms of her family. She was buried December 11 at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery with interment services conducted by Father Peter Welsh of Saint Helena Church. Immediate family and friends attended with the assistance of Wackerman Funeral Home, Northeast Philadelphia.

Mary’s Memorial Funeral Mass will be celebrated the day after her 96th Birthday, Saturday,February 22 at 11:00am, Saint Helena Church, 6161 North 5th Street, Philadelphia. Family will receive guests 10:20-10:55am.

Mary was the daughter of Rudolph and Julia Gable (both deceased), sister of Julia (Schaller), Rudy and John (all deceased) and Aunt to her sister Julia’s children -- Joan (deceased), Jean (Murray), Maria and Frank; her brother Rudy’s children -- Rudy, Joseph and John; her brother John’s children -- John and Gary and great aunt and great-great aunt to two more generations of 16 lovely children.

In 1923 Mary’s Mother was treated for dropsy while pregnant which effected Mary’s central nervous system. Since birth Mary was labeled mentally retarded. Although born mentally impaired, Mary was gifted in many special ways and a true gift to the many who knew and loved her. Born at home, February 21, 1924, Mary was baptized at Saint Peter the Apostle Church, 5th and Girard (St. John Neuman Shrine) and attended grade school there. She often talked about the nuns, her schoolmates and her friends from her early childhood.

Then Mary lived at Pennhurst State School and Hospital for over 50 years. She fondly and enthusiastically reminisced helping in the care of others, using interlock sewing machines, helping in the cannery and the library, assisting hearing and visually impaired residents, singing, playing the guitar, traveling with the Bell Choir, competing in Special Olympics (telling everyone about her many medals, ribbons and trophies) playing basketball, practicing karate and even seeing the Ice Capades, the Harlem Globe Trotters, Shorty Long and many other celebrities through the years. Although academically and cognitively limited, Mary was high-functioning and enjoyed many freedoms with her friends on Pennhurst campus and interacting with the local community. She spoke often of her beloved music teacher, Phyllis Boone, librarian, Tom Hudson and swim coach Hal Begal all of whom made Aunt Mary feel special. Mary’s family valued and appreciated Phyllis, Tom, and Hal's treasured mentorship of Mary and all the residents they cared for at Pennhurst.

Mary’s Father, although a factory worker, struggling through the Great Depression bought a car to visit their daughter some 35 miles away. Her nephew says many of his earliest pre-school memories (1950s) are riding with his Grandparents, visiting Aunt Mary and enjoying lunch in the various picnic groves, cafeteria at Pennhurst and later local restaurants. He fondly remembers, “Grandpop many times would bring home gallons of Chester County Spring water from the springs at Pennhurst.” Looking back, Frank suspects it was for the homemade Elderberry wine "Grandpop was famous for." As an adult Frank became active with the Pennhurst Parents and Staff Association and the Pennhurst Human Rights Committee (1970’s-’80’s) .

With the national de-institutional movement in the mid 20th Century, in 1986, Mary went to live with her sister in Philadelphia shortly before the closing of Pennhurst Center. Thanks to her association with Sister Leonore Britt, SHCJ, Mary had many opportunities to help out with Holistic Health events that Sister Leonore provided at Rosemont College and elsewhere. Mary also attended many lectures, seminars and conferences on Holistic Health and Natural Living through the years in PA, NJ, NY and Washington, DC. Mary loved traveling to State College for the Sustainable Agriculture annual conference every February. She loved riding in a car, bus, train or plane anywhere. Up until its last annual conference about 15 years ago, Mary had many friends she would see at the PA Natural Living Convention in central Pennsylvania. Mary reflected what she learned. Looking at a candy-bar (sugar, preservatives, dyes, etc.) she would exclaim, “I don’t want that. I want clean blood”. Another regular treat for Mary was going to monthly meetings and summer picnics at the South Jersey Organic Gardeners’ Club in Barrington, NJ. Mary was Organic long before it was cool to be Organic.

Mary and family would travel 10 to 70 miles for a good Raw Food Potluck Dinner, especially if they had speakers with sound nutritional and health information. The Food, Education, Fellowship made Mary Glow. Mary loved new faces and treasured old friends.

Mary became a Clown (clown name "Happy") in the late 1980’s and won many competitions (medals, ribbons, trophies) at Clown conferences in New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Connecticut. In September 2001, Mary helped lead the CLOWN FEST parade on Sea Side Heights boardwalk dedicated to the World Trade Center victims and their families. She loved wrapping teddybears and delivering them to people in nursing homes with her clown friends from the clown alley, “Clown’s Are Us”, in Bucks County during their annual "Christmas Magical Marathon". Mary was a good balloon twister with her niece Joan (Clown name Foot-C) at parties and events making "children of all ages Happy".

Mary loved Polka Dancing, and at various times was a card carrying member of the Bavarian Volk Verein, Cannstatter Volk Verein, German Society of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia), Pennsylvania German Society (Ephrata), Reading Liederkrantz and would annually dance 4 or 5 days at the Bethlehem MusicFest through her ’70's to the age of 91. When possible she would follow the Walt Groller Orchestra, Jimmy Sturr Orchestra, Jan Levan Orchestra, Joe Weber Orchestra to Warrington, Lancaster, Adamstown, Doylestown, Hazleton, Delaware Water Gap, Reading, Bethlehem and she especially enjoyed the annual Allentown State Fair which would feature both Groller and Sturr Orchestras.

Mary’s favorite song was the one her Father taught her -- Du Du Liegst Mir Im Herzen. Her family, friends and strangers also loved hearing her sing Edelweiss, God Bless America, I Have Decided To Follow Jesus, If You’re Happy And You Know It... plus many other songs and Gospel Hymns.

For 29 years Mary sang in the Talent Show at Holy Nativity Episcopal Church in Rockledge to the delight of young and old. Some years she even performed in her professional Clown costume. Bouncing on a mini-trampoline was another added attraction to her performance. Almost daily she would exercise on a mini-trampoline while listening to waltzes, marches and polka music for 35 to 45 minutes keeping her lymphatic system healthy. Mary was a role-model in many ways.

For some 20 years Mary participated in the Philadelphia Senior Games every Spring. She not only participated in the easy events such as football and softball throw but also100 meter dash, 200 meter dash and the one mile walk (more medals and ribbons to talk about). Mary’s stamina and boundless energy is testimony to her clean diet, use of herbs and 29 years of being medication free up to age 91.

Tragically, in the middle of the 2015 OctoberFest season, at the age of 91, a vehicle knocked Mary down and ran over her legs resulting in double trans-femoral amputations. Earlier that day she was with her nephew, attending an Environmental Rally at City Hall, featuring Dr. Walter Tsou, MD, MPH, former Philadelphia Health Commissioner, had lunch at the Reading Terminal and walked several miles in center city. With the help of God and prayers, Mary survived 5 operations on her legs at Einstein Medical Center (Olney). In 9 days her stump wounds healed (thanks to negative pressure wound therapy machine and her constitution). Mary was accepted into ACUTE care rehabilitation. Her faith, strong-willed determination, home exercise, pool rehabilitation, specific nutrition program, Mary 5 months later, was in Washington DC lobbying with the Amputee Coalition of America in April 2016 and again in 2017, 2018 and 2019. June 2016 Mary was at the Amputee Coalition’s annual Conference in Greensboro, NC and again rode to their 2017 conference in Louisville, KT. Thanks to the Amputee Coalition, Mary learned about and went to the Abilities Expos in Washington, DC and New York Metro area on four different occasions.

The Amputee Coalition also helped Mary and her family connect with Amputee Support Groups throughout Philadelphia, Reading, Wilmington, Allentown and she even got to a support group in Boston, MA for a movie where she personally met the featured gentleman who had a double arm replacement (one of only three done in the world). Amputee support groups do not just help to network with fellow amputees, family and professionals but also provide valuable lectures, opportunities to ride horseback, go swimming and experience scuba diving through the Adaptive Diving Association www.adaptivedivingassociation.org.

Lehigh Valley Hospital’s Amputee Support Group is outstanding. Their annual 2020 Limb Loss Awareness Day is March 21 and a "must try to attend" for amputees, their families and professionals. Contact # is 1-888-402-5846. With about 8 years experience they know how to support, educate, network and empower amputees and their families.

For over 34 years, the Amputee Coalition of America has advocated, educated and provided many outstanding services for amputees, their families and the supporting professions. Mary and her family are greatly appreciative especially for the Coalition protecting Amputee Rights vis a vis the insurance industry.

Another supportive organization in Mary's life, as an amputee, is the Pennsylvania Center for Adaptive Sports that provided opportunities for Mary to bike on West River Drive on Saturdays and Exton Park Trail on Sunday from May through October. Their major fund raising event this year is in Exton May 3rd. PCAS has brought joy, excitement, exercise and fellowship to Mary and her family these past 4 years by providing an adapted bike and caring volunteers at both these locations.

Before and after the terrible accident, Mary has earned the title as Elvis’ “Number One Fan” and she has the CDs, DVDs, pictures, scarfs and teddy bears bestowed by numerous “Kings” to prove it. Jeff Krick is her first and her most often watched Elvis entertainer. Mary and Jeff’s poster size picture together reigned in her hospital and rehab rooms.

Mary Gable’s death is a great loss to her family, but they will always cherish the vibrant greeting she gave to people that brightened their day when she shook hands or hugged them and said looking up from her wheelchair, “I’M HAPPY."