SIMON Mabel Eva Mabel Simon passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 in the Stettler Hospital and was 87 years young. She is predeceased by her husband Harold Simon, sister Ada Robinson, brother Donald Kromm, mother and father Eva and Conrad Kromm. Mabel Eva Kromm was born on the family farm near Red Willow on April 22, 1921, the second child of Conrad and Eva Kromm. As a young girl, Mabel attended Prairie Grove and Red Willow Schools, where she enjoyed youth clubs, riding the family horse, fundraiser plays for the ball team, "Jitney Dances", and playing shortstop with the Star Ridge Ball Club (of course, after all the chores were done). Her interest in music emerged which eventually led to Mabel and Doris Clark competing in the music festival. It was at the Music Festival that she met Harold Simon in 1936. They married on January 26, 1942 at Christ King Catholic Church and lived in Stettler, where their first child was born. They moved to Calgary while Harold was stationed in the Royal Canadian Air Force, where their second child was born. They returned to the Stettler area where four more children were born. Mabel loved her years living on the "Kings Korner" farm enjoying the Westwood picnics, card parties, visiting with friends and relatives, growing vegetables and flowers, canning and helping with the farm work. They moved to Stettler in 1958. She enjoyed meeting people while keeping books at Harold's Esso Service Station. She had the gift of hospitality and always welcomed all who stopped by. She joined Harold playing piano in the family dance band making memorable music for crowds of all ages for some 35 years. Mabel worked in the housekeeping department of the Stettler Hospital Complex for 14 years until her retirement in 1986. She found it very fulfilling to help people at the hospital and enjoyed her friendships with great co-workers. She had a bout with cancer in 1988, but recovered well and kept going strong. She so enjoyed her trips with various relatives to Hawaii, the States, and PEI. Mabel had a wonderful love for life, family, friends and neighbors; always taking lots of photos which were such a comfort to her in her later years. She treasured the coffee parties with cousins and friends, and was so grateful for the laughter and good times spent together. She also treasured "Parkdale" neighbors, and the aggravation games played with special friends. Her special gift for care-giving was evident in the time spent with her mother, her family and others. Mabel dearly loved her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and was happiest when surrounded by her family and friends. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her so very much and will be forever in our hearts. She is survived by her loving children Marilyn (Don) Resler, Joan (Terry ) Rushton, Alan (June) Simon, Dale (Debbie) Simon, Donna (Bob) Oldridge, Carol (Bill) Somerville, 28 grandchildren and 38 great grandchildren, siblings Hilda Norman and Wilfred Kromm, brother and sister in-law Earl Robinson and Ruth Kromm, as well as many other relatives, and a host of wonderful friends and neighbors. The funeral service was held on Monday, April 13, 2009 at the Christ King Catholic Church in Stettler. The family would like to especially thank her friends and great neighbors in Parkdale, the residents and staff at Paragon Place, the staff of the Stettler Hospital, Home Care and Dr. Heaven for all their exceptional care and compassion. As an expression of sympathy and in loving memory of Mabel, memorial contributions may be made to the Stettler Hospital Foundation or the charity of your choice in care of BRENNEN FUNERAL HOME (2001) LTD. P.O. Box 193 Stettler, Alberta T0C 2L0. Condolences can be e-mailed to brennenf@telusplanet.net