Obituary of Mabel L. Hathaway

Mabel L. Hathaway, 95, of Haddam, beloved wife of the late Robert W. Hathaway, Jr., passed away on Wednesday, February 5, 2020 at Middlesex Hospital. She was born in Fall River, MA on October 14, 1924, a daughter of John and Sarah (Holden) Leather. She devoted her life to raising her five children. She also worked for many years as a quality control technician for Litton Industries/SWEDA Division in Fall River. She was a member of her Durfee High School class of 1942 reunion committee, planning reunions from its first to seventieth in 2012. She will be remembered for her beautiful smile, generosity and kindness, as well as her baking and cake decorating skills, especially her yummies, raisin squares, and chocolate covered peanut butter balls. She was an avid knitter and will be fondly remembered by dozens of family members and friends for whom she knitted customized Christmas stockings. She is survived by her children William (Virginia Nelson) of New London, CT, Robert (Mary Vandewalle) of Glendora, CA, Thomas (Cathy) of Bowie, MD, Elizabeth (Robert) Bochman of Higganum, CT and James (Margaret) of Spotsylvania, VA, eleven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, with two more on the way. She is also survived by her brother, Walter Leather of Salisbury, NC. She was predeceased by her sister Alice (Arthur) Westgate. The funeral will be on Monday, February 10, 2020 at 10:00 AM at First Baptist Church, 10 Prospect Street, Essex, CT, followed by a graveside service and burial in Oak Grove Cemetery in Fall River, MA at approximately 1:30 PM. Those planning to attend at the cemetery will meet at the main gate on Prospect Street. A calling hour will be at the church at 9:00 AM preceding the service. To share a memory or express a condolence to Mabel’s family please visit: www.rwwfh.com. Arrangements are by the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home.