Mabel (Dopson) Hitchen was born December 1st, 1925, and grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba. When she moved to Victoria, she met and married her sweetheart Alfred Hitchen. She raised two wonderful children, Wayne and Karen. Mabel started Honey Bears Preschool and served for decades at Oldfield Rd Gospel Chapel, Chinese Pentecostal Church, GT Pentecostal Church, Harbour Light Ministries and Nanoose Bay Camp. She also was a longtime volunteer at Victoria General Hospital.
Mabel lived life for her Saviour and never failed to share her Christian testimony. She faithfully prayed for her family which grew to include her faithful daughter-in-law, Gail Hitchen and Wayne and Gail’s three children, Steven (Silja), Kristin (Tam) and Jeff (Charmaine), her son-in-law Doug Hedlin and Karen and Doug’s daughters Renee (Jamie) and Lauren (Keegan). Her family then grew to include 13 great-grandchildren, and all of them loved Great Nana! On Sunday, August 10th Mabel peacefully fell asleep and woke up in paradise. While we will miss our Mom, Nana and Great Nana, we know that she is reunited with her Alfie and her daughter Karen, and is in the presence of Jesus Christ, made whole and at peace. We will be reunited again. See you in the morning, Nana. We love you.
Special thanks to Mabel’s case manager in Victoria. She was amazing at helping her transition from her house in Victoria, to The Meadows in Duncan where she enjoyed all aspects of life with excellent care from the team there. When the time came for Mabel to go into hospital and ultimately hospice, Kelsey her case manager in Duncan, advocated on her behalf. Her stay in hospital was short before she was moved to Cowichan Hospice House in Duncan. The staff and volunteers there are loving, caring and are dedicated to making end of life as comfortable as possible for both the patient and their families.
There will be a family service at graveside at a later date.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
This obituary is the property of the “Hitchen” family and may not be reproduced, distributed, or altered in any way without prior written consent.
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Joanne Dopson-Willows
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Laurene and Paula Sheilds What a wonderful loving human being Mabel was and we are so sorry for your loss. My daughter Paula was riding the bus to school for the first time (around 2013 or 2014), and she came home early on to say that she had made friends with a woman “Mrs. Mabel” who was knitting hats for the babies at Victoria General. Their friendship grew and whenever the two of them were on the bus they often sat close by and chatted. One day Paula came home with little “bonnets” for our cat and dog — and she was delighted, even if the dog and cat weren’t too sure! Mrs. Mabel sent a Christmas card to Paula/us for a couple of years, the first, I am sure to let me know that she was the person chatting with Paula — it was lovely. As Paula grew older and her scheduled changed, we lost track of Mrs. Mabel, but thought of her often; her kindness and generosity and warmth. Paula is now working with seniors — something she thoroughly enjoys. We were so pleased to learn a little more about her through the obituary and wanted to let you know how touched we were by “Mrs. Mabel”, and our gratitude for her well-lived life. Laurene and Paula
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Eli MacKay Our condolence to the Hitchen Family
Our friendship goes way back.
She was a “ rock” , a great example to her family and friends.
What a well written obituary…yes she will be missed.
David and Eli
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Diane Marshall Fond farewell to “Teacher”, as our children called her when they attended Honey Bears for 2 afternoons when they were 3 years old and for 3 mornings when they turned 4. “Teacher” lovingly, yet firmly, provided readiness learning opportunities to help prepare them for half-day kindergarten, as it was in the 70s. The children enjoyed and benefited from time spent with “Teacher” over the 2 years they attended classes. We are grateful and thankful to have had time with her.
May she rest in peace. After almost 100 years of living and giving, she has earned it.
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Marlene Kitching We spent many wonderful years when our 2 children attended Honeybears preschool. Mrs. Hitchen will be remembered as a kind and loving teacher, wonderful mother and grandmother. I have thought of her many times over the years. She was loved and will be missed.
So sorry for your loss, Wayne. Hold on to the great memories. Your mom had a great life here and she’s gone to her eternal life now.