Mabel Cornwall

She was born on November 8, 1917 at a homestead east of Hannaford in Griggs County, North Dakota. Mabel was the youngest of the 10 children of Kristopher and Marie Jonasen. After finishing her primary education in North Dakota, Mabel moved on to Idaho in 1937. While in Idaho, Mabel met her future husband Paul Cornwall. In 1940 she entered nurses training at Boise St. Luke’s Hospital. Mabel completed her training as a RN in August of 1943. Mabel and Paul married August 10, 1943 in Corvallis, Oregon.

While her husband served in the Army, Mabel started her nursing career by working in the cities of his assignments. After moving to San Francisco in 1944 she worked at Stanford Hospital and later St. Francis hospital and Mt Zion hospital. She also went on to work at several military hospitals including hospitals in Berlin, Germany and Fort Mammoth, New Jersey. Mabel moved to Monterey in 1961 where she started work at Fort Ord Hospital. She worked at the hospital for 15 years and finally at the Presidio of Monterey clinic for 3 years. She retired from nursing in September of 1980.

Mabel was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Paul Cornwall and her nine brothers and sisters. She is survived by 18 nieces and nephews, as well as 3rd, 4th and 5th generation great nieces and nephews.

Mabel kept more than one scrapbook filled with newspaper articles, graduation, wedding and birth announcements from family members. Although most of her family lived out of state she kept in contact with many of them. Mabel was an important part of their lives and will be missed by all.

A Memorial Service will be held June 6, 2012 at 10:00am at St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Monterey, CA. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Timothy Lutheran Church or The Alzheimer’s Foundation, 21 Lower Ragsdale, Monterey, CA 93940.

To leave an online condolence to the family, please visit our website at www.thepaulmortuary.com