Mabel E. Gordon (Hampton)

Mabel E. Gordon

August 27, 1915 ~ March 12, 2015

Mabel Elizabeth Gordon was born August 27, 1915 to Charles W. and Alma (Hays) Hampton in Montrose Colorado. She passed away March 12, 2015 and the age of “99 and some”. The oldest of 7 children, she grew up on the family farm south of Oak Grove. She remembers that their farm had the first telephone installed on Spring Creek Mesa.  Her formal education was at Oak Grove School through the 8th grade but she earned a doctorate by  living life.  One of her fond memories was coming to the train depot on a school trip to greet Chief Ouray’s wife, Chipeta.

On February 12, 1938, she married Emory Wayne “Jack” Gordon.  Jack preceded her in death May 18, 1987.  In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by three brothers, Frank Hampton, Ray Hampton, Jack Hampton and three sisters, Ella Mae Hampton Spock, Emma Hampton Wagner Loss and Edna Hampton Williams .

Carrying on a family tradition of cooking, she began her cooking career at Oak Grove School where her mother, Alma Hampton, and aunt, “Toots” Woods, had also cooked at Oak Grove School. Mabel continued as a cook with various Montrose Schools until her retirement.

Mabel enjoyed trying many new recipes during her lifetime. She always said you should try a new recipe when you had company coming—that way if it was not good, you did not have a lot of awful leftovers.   In her younger years while Jack went fishing, she went along and enjoyed long walks.  Sewing, reading, knitting, baseball, football and history were interests of Mabel.  She could often be found watching football or baseball on television, always cheering for the underdog.  She had many favorite teams and could recite statistics on players, managers, coaches and teams.

Through the years she belonged to several bridge groups, was a 60 plus year member of Royal Neighbors of America, was a long time member of her H.E.O. (Help Each Other) Club, and was a member of Hillcrest United Church of Christ.

She is survived by her son Wayne and wife Kathy Gordon of Montrose, granddaughter Kristi Gordon Harvey (Peter Cooke) of Montrose, grandson Devin (Taylor)Gordon and great granddaughters Abigail Gordon of Montrose and Brianna Cooke of Montrose. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great, great, great, and great, great, great nephews and nieces.  She is also survived by her wonderful community of friends at San Juan Living Center.

Crippin Funeral Home is in charge of services.  Services will be Saturday March 14, 2015 , 2:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Congregational Church in Montrose. Interment will follow the service at Grand View Cemetery, west of Montrose. In Lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in her memory may be made to Hillcrest UCC Kitchen Improvement Fund or a charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the care of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, Montrose, Co.