Mabel Wensley Jorgensen, born April 3, 1932 to Aretha Timmons Winsley and Roosevelt Winsley in Stamford, Connecticut, departed this life on January 7, 2021 at Calvary Hospital in Bronx, New York. Absent from the body but present with the Lord.
A lifelong resident of Stamford, Mabel graduated from Stamford High School and was the first African American to graduate from Eastern Medical School as a medical assistant. She lived in Stamford all her life where she married Edwin Alexander Redfern, their union created Linda Redfern Socks and Edwin Alexander Redfern, Jr. During that time she helped launch Jack & Jill with Rachel Robinson and was active in the West Main Street community center. She remarried Roy B. Jorgensen former WSTC/WYRS (Radio Station) on-air personality for the Big Band Sound and Count Basie Band Manager, before his passing.
Mabel loved the creative arts and had a beautiful singing voice, in her younger years. She could be heard singing in the First United Methodist Church or anywhere where there was a piano playing. She also had the opportunity to sing at Carnegie Hall in New York City as part of the New York Oratorio Society. She worked and had several positions in the medical field, as well as in commercial property management as an administrator.
An avid swimmer, she also was president of the Museum of Black World War II History (still in development). The museum was originally developed in a small Vermont town and was relocated to Stamford in 2011 with her partner of nine years, Bruce Bird, Curator and Founder of the museum.
Both Mabel and Bruce hosted many Giants of jazz concert fundraisers for the museum in Stamford and the New York City areas.
Mabel leaves to cherish her memory: Her partner of nine years, Bruce Bird, a daughter Linda Redfern Socks (Gregory), a son Edwin A. Redfern, Jr.; two grandchildren: Maurice Alexander Sanders, Justin Courtney Roberts; three great grandchildren: Gabriel Sanders, Nyra Sanders and Madison Sanders; her brother, Francis Winsley (Doris) and a predeceased sister; Lucille Hill; 5 nieces and nephews; Guy E. Winsley, Francis A. Winsley (Taryn), Karen Winsley, Kathy Winsley Williams (Bernard), Pastor Theodore Winsley (Dawn); many cousins, and loving friends.
Per her wishes, Mabel will be cremated and a celebration of life memorial will be held later in 2021.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks that you make a donation in Mabel's memory to the Bennett Cancer Center.
DONACIONES
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.8.18