Mabel Helen Douglas Williams
Mabel Helen Douglas Williams was born Oct. 11, 1914, to Fredrick Douglas and Iola Harrison in the newly established town of Polson, on the beautiful Flathead Lake.
Her grandparents were among the original homesteaders on the Salish-Kootenai Reservation that opened in 1910. They arrived by wagon and lived in tents until they built one of the original homes on the Grandview Hill south of Polson.
Mabel grew up on her parents' ranch in Valley View. She attended school, played basketball and loved music. After graduating from Polson High School, she met and married James (Bud) White. From that union, four sons were born: Douglas Earl, Richard Gerald, Donald
Graham, and James P. II.
In July, 1947, Bud was killed in an airplane accident leaving Mabel with four young boys to raise. She never knew the word quit. Often she worked two or three jobs to make ends meet. In 1954, she bought the Hut Cafe in Polson, which she ran for many years. Mabel was a women's activist before it was a word. She opened the first 24 hour cafe in Polson and was very active in the Business and Professional Women's organization.
In 1965 she married Shan Williams, an old friend whose family also homesteaded in the area. The Hut Cafe was sold and they moved to Helena where they raised their son David and Shan's four daughters, Wilma, Judy, Beatrice and Dixie.
While in Helena, Mabel worked for the county as a clerk and recorder. She was active in Eastern Star, the Business and Professional Women's organization and held many local and state offices.
In 1974, Mabel and Shan retired and returned to Polson where they lived on the West Shore of Flathead Lake. They poured their hearts into building a place where the family would gather often. Everyone was welcome to come and stay, but they had to get their reservations in early, as the house was usually full of family and friends.
Shan died in 1994 and by 1996, Mabel could no longer live without assistance. The home on the lake was sold and she moved to Highland, Utah, to live with her son Jim and his family. She was able to live out her remaining years surrounded by loving children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She participated in family gatherings until the end. Mabel died at age 90, on Oct. 27, 2004, at 8:30 p.m., the moment of the lunar eclipse. She was listening to the music she loved and was with one of the many who loved and cared for this totally beautiful and loving lady.
Her two marriages produced nine children, 29 grandchildren, 64 great-grandchildren, and three great great grandchildren, all of whom she made feel as if they were the only one. iCome in. Can I fix you something?i If you haven't heard these words, you probably didn't know the lady known as Mabel. She made her heaven here on earth.
A memorial service will be held in Highland, Utah, on Nov. 6, 2004, from 2- 4 p.m.
A memorial service will also be held in Polson at the Senior Citizens Center from 2-4 p.m. on Nov. 27, 2004. Burial will follow at the Lakeview Cemetery. Everyone who shared our love of this great lady is welcome to attend.