Mabel L. Depew, 88, passed away March 3rd, 2015 at 9:30 pm at Pacifica Senior Living in Bakersfield, California. Her eldest son, Ron Depew, his wife Doris, and Ron's eldest daughter, Allison, were at her bedside as she peacefully slipped into God's hands. Mabel's husband of 56 years, Jack Depew, passed away February 9, 2003.
Mabel was born, Mabel Louise Basham, in 1927, in Roaring Springs, Texas to mother Zelma Basham and father William Homer Basham. The family moved to Strathmore, California where she attended school. She graduated from Strathmore High School in 1944. She met her future husband, Jack L. Depew, in 1946 while working in Landers hardware store in Lindsey, California. Jack had recently returned home to Lindsey, California, from the South Pacific, serving with the Marines from 1942 to 1946. They fell in love at first sight, were married March 22, 1946 in Lindsey, California, and remained madly in love and partners for life in every way possible for the next 56 years. They moved to Visalia, California in 1947. She worked as a secretary in the Visalia, Unified School District while Jack pursued a career in Tulare County Government. While living in Visalia, they had three children: Ron, Chuck, and Donna. They were active members in the First Christian Church in Visalia. In 1975 Mabel and Jack moved to Sacramento, California where Jack was appointed the Sacramento County Treasure /Tax Collector. They lived in Sacramento for the next 11 years, retiring to Arroyo Grande, California in 1986. While in Arroyo Grande, they attended the Grace Bible Church and served in various capacities on the board of the Sunrise Terrace Senior Park community.
After Jack passed away in 2003, Mabel remained in Arroyo Grande until 2011, when she became a resident at Pacifica Senior Living in Bakersfield. She was recently preceded in death by her older brother, William (Herb) Basham, of Socorro, New Mexico, who passed away in January, 2015.
Throughout her life, Mabel was one of the most positive and kindest person you would ever meet. She and her siblings lost their mother at an early age, and therefore learned to handle responsibility and became self-reliant very early in life. Mabel was deeply religious, a loving mother and wife, always optimistic, never complained about her situation or place in life, and relished every day. During the early years with a young family and handsome husband, she loved camping in Yosemite and Kings Canyon Forest, going to dances with Jack, and getting to together with friends and relatives. After retirement to Arroyo Grande, she and Jack traveled through the states in their RV, loved organizing bus trips with their neighborhood friends, and always welcomed their kids and their families to their home. As age took its toll, especially after she lost Jack, her memory began to fade and her physical health deteriorated. However, despite living with severe dementia her mind often stuck in the past, she always displayed her beautiful smile and had positive things to say to the people and family around her. She gave encouragement to others while deeply appreciating their assistance in return. She loved her caregivers at Pacifica as they filled her daily life with kindness and care. And, she was especially grateful to Ron, Doris, and Allison for being there nearly every day during the last few months of her life. Her smile, kindness, and love will be missed by all.
Mabel is survived by her sister, Nida Robinson and her husband Roy of Denton, Texas, and her sister-in-law, Patricia Basham of Socorro, New Mexico. She is also survived by her eldest son, Ron Depew and wife, Doris Depew of Tehachapi California; daughter, Donna Sweeney and her husband, Anthony Scott of Rancho Cucamonga, California; and her other son, Chuck Depew, and wife, Donna Keiran, of Raleigh, North Carolina. Mabel has seven grandchildren: Allison Koerner and Melanie Harris of Bakersfield, California; Ryan Depew of Longmont, Colorado; Sarah Depew of Brooklyn, New York; Craig Sweeney and Megan Hatherley of Visalia, California, and Meredith Poland of Upland, California. Mabel has three step grandchildren, Ted Denison of San Diego California; Trina Kelly of Natick, Massachusetts; Tonya Denison, of Bakersfield, California. Mabel has 10 great grandchildren.
The family would like to thank the entire management and caregivers at Pacifica Senior Living, both the assisted living staff and memory care unit, for giving our mother kindness, dignity, and love through her stay. We would also like to thank Dr. Jennifer Abraham and Optimal Hospice for their care and kindness. We are forever grateful.
There will be a Celebration of Life on, June 6, 2015 from 1pm to 5pm in Tehachapi, California.
Published in Bakersfield Californian on Mar. 22, 2015

Contributor: Sherri Sayers 6/9/2018