Mabel Louise Quigley

Mabel (nee Southwick) born in Hackensack, NJ, was the youngest child born to the late Morris Thomas Southwick and Olive Blanche Mier. She met her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Harry Quigley, in homeroom at Rutherford High School, Rutherford, NJ. They were married in 1953 and would have been married for 69 years this coming November.

She is survived by her loving husband Harry, her four children: Eileen Multari (Salvatore); Jerry (Myrna); Patrick (Breeda); and David (Mimi); two grandsons Gerald and Jonathan, three great grandchildren, Conor, Grace, and Finn. She is also survived by her sister Lucy Hill, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Mabel was a master gardener—her flower gardens could have been entered in professional horticultural magazines. She was an avid reader, loved to water paint, sing, golf, and write in her journal. She loved to “people watch” and be around people.

After graduating high school, Mabel majored in journalism at Fairleigh Dickenson University in New Jersey. She worked for a local Rockland County newspaper for several years as a journalist. As her children were growing up, she went back to college and earned a Bachelor’s Degree from St. Thomas Aquinas College in elementary education and a Master’s Degree from Montclair State College in outdoor education. She taught 3rd grade at Montebello Elementary School in Suffern, NY. As an outdoor nature enthusiast, she developed a nature trail, as well as gardens and other outdoor activities to share her love of nature with her students.

After retiring from teaching, Mabel and Harry became “snowbirds” and lived half the year in New York and the other half in Fort Pierce, Florida. They moved to Otego, New York in 2010 after living in Monsey, New York for 50 years. In 2020 due to health reasons they relocated to their home in Otego full time.

Mabel lived life fully and as an avid reader she joined a local book club where she could read and share her thoughts about different books and made many loving friends.

If you asked anyone to describe Mabel, the words that might be said are sweet, pure, loving, and kind. Mabel will be missed by all who love her. From your husband, children, sister, grandchildren and great grandchildren-- we love you very, very, very much. We know you would try to add the last “very” to that if you could. We Love You, God Bless You, Peace, Be Still.

Friends are invited to greet the family on Sunday, October 16, 2022 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Bookhout Funeral Home, 357 Main Street, Oneonta, New York 13820. A funeral service will occur Monday, October 17, 2022 at 11:00 AM also at the funeral home.

Burial will take place in Ouleout Valley Cemetery, Franklin.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.bookhoutfh.com for the Quigley family.