Obituary
We are saddened to announce that our mother, Mabel Eleanor Witbeck, passed away on 24 November 2020 at the age of 92. In her words her body was “just wore out”. She is predeceased by her husband Teddy A. Witbeck, her parents John Moors and Florence (Elliott) Moors, her siblings Margaret (Merril) Adams, Mary (Peter) Dewar and Bob Moors and two of her children, William Ryan Finch and Laura Lee Finch. She is survived by her brother John Moors of Ottawa, Ontario and sister Ruth Rollingson of Magrath, Alberta.
We honor her life that was filled with laughter, love, kindness, service, forgiveness and hope.
Mabel Eleanor Moors was born in 1928 in Hamilton, Ontario to John and Florence (Elliott) Moors. In her childhood Eleanor lived in many places in Ontario including Paris, Oshawa and Hamilton. As a little girl, she loved spending time with her mother’s parents as they owned a general store in Hamilton. She had fond memories of all of the candy they would share with her.
In 1941 John Moors moved his young family to Magrath, Alberta where he operated his small business, Wool Carding and Spinning. Eleanor and her sisters Ruth and Margaret would sing together and were a popular trio.
In 1947 Eleanor married Keith Finch of Raymond, Alberta. Because Keith was in the air force their young family moved around the country with stops in Trenton, Ontario, Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. It was in Trenton, Ontario that she was taught by missionaries and joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She was fond of the fact that she was baptized in the swimming pool on the air force base in Trenton. After her divorce from Keith, Eleanor purchased a home in Raymond where she chose to raise her family. That home was just a few doors north of her in-laws Cecil and Ruth Finch for whom she had great love and respect.
In 1968 she married Teddy A. Witbeck and brought together a blended family of 9 children, two of whom were married to each other. If you, reader, have a few minutes, you should sit down with one of Teddy A. and Eleanor’s children and let them map out those relationships for you. It may take a while but you will most likely be entertained.
In 1975 Teddy A. and Eleanor moved to their farm at the northwest corner of Raymond. That place has been an anchor for her children and extended family. First of July and Christmas parties, sleep overs and any excuse to get together are where we learned from her the values of love, acceptance and service.
She worked hard her whole life. She helped support her family by working at the woolen mill, and by working as a cook at the Ridgeview Lodge and the Raymond Home. She served in many callings in the Church throughout her life, including as a Young Women’s Counsellor, Primary Teacher, Relief Society Teacher, and Compassionate Service Leader for 15 years, all with kindness and compassion that can only come from one who loved the people that she served.
Together, Eleanor and her eternal companion, Teddy A. Witbeck, raised 9 children. Teddy J. and Barbara Witbeck of Raymond, Alberta, Greg (Shana) Witbeck of Vernal, Utah, Paulette (Gene) Ganz of Raymond, Alberta, Cecil (Dianne) Finch of Medicine Hat, Alberta, Mary Lou Lockridge of Edmonton, Alberta, Jo-Anne Finch of Lethbridge, Alberta, Margy Witbeck of Raymond, Alberta and Teddy (Cathy) Witbeck of Cottonwood Heights, Utah.
Teddy A. and Eleanor have 28 grandchildren and 60 great grandchildren and one great great-grandchild. Including Teddy A., Eleanor and their 9 children, that makes 100 in the family.
A private family funeral service will be held on Nov. 30 in Raymond, AB. Eleanor loved having her family together and equally she wants them to be safe. She understood that in this pandemic time it will not be possible for us to gather and mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort in the traditional way. The family plans to have one of her First of July style parties in the summer of 2021 so we can get together and celebrate her life.
Live stream of the funeral service will be available starting at 11:00 AM on Monday, Nov. 30. The link will appear beneath this obituary at that time.
To send flowers to Mabel Eleanor Witbeck’s family, please visit our floral store.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Mabel Eleanor Witbeck January 15 1928 November 24 2020 (age 92)..
Décès pour la Ville: Lethbridge, Province: Alberta