Mabel’s story began with her parents' immigration from Aberdeen and Inverness, Scotland, to South Africa in the early 1930s. Her father, an engineer who had worked on British railways and with Aston Martin, moved to work on mining projects, including the design of crucial gearing for mines.
Mabel and her twin sister, Margaret, were born in Benoni, Transvaal, in 1938.
Early memories reflect the strong twin bond. At age six or seven during a school sports day, Mabel was winning but famously paused to let Margaret catch up. Their twin connection often led to confusion and amusement: after Mabel had a tooth removed, the nurse mistakenly sent Margaret in for a follow-up check a few days later, baffling the dentist! Years later, on a visit back to South Africa, Mabel successfully confused one of Margaret’s friends by stepping in for her sister, leaving the friend astonished when Margaret suddenly appeared downstairs.
Margeret’s husband’s affectionate nickname for her was "Bomber Christie." It originated when he joked that after Mabel visited his and Margaret’s newlywed house, it looked as if a bomb had struck it.
After attending a local convent school (which she did not enjoy), Mabel began her first career as a dental nurse. She was heavily involved with the St. John’s Ambulance Association, attending major sporting events.
In 1961, Mabel earned a commendation from the Priory of South Africa for a remarkable act of heroism: saving a young boy who had swallowed a balloon. The grateful mother could only identify her by her distinct St. John's uniform and her striking red hair (which her husband describes as "Auburn"). She was also very keen on amateur dramatics.
Mabel left South Africa to pursue her nursing training in England, flying in around the end of 1962, via a Dacota DC3 that stopped in places like Cairo and Basel. While training at Beckenham Hospital, she met Mary (who was recovering after a bike accident), starting a lifelong family connection.
It was during this time that Mabel met Michael, Mary's brother, her future husband, beginning a 51-year life together, a success by any standard.
Mable and Michael married on the 26th March 1966 at Christ Church, Beckenham in the London Borough of Bromely
Where did they live when they first married?
Subsequant places, Bromely, Southampton etc
Karyn arriving in 1969 and Clayton in 1973.
While raising their children, Mabel supported her husband's dream of growing plants, which evolved into her managing a flower shop at Evegate, where she specialized in wedding and event flowers. A memorable story involves a trip to the canal where Mabel stepped into boggy mud and sank to her knees, leaving Karyn and Melanie laughing too hard to help her out.
When her husband retired, their shared passion progressed to the highly successful R.H.S. flower show circuit, including shows like Chelsea and Hampton Court. While her husband managed the plant layouts, it was Mabel’s renowned finishing-off skills that earned them extra kudos and made their displays sought-after by other nurseries.
Mabel became ill in 2003 and the flower business concluded in 2004 following major, but unsuccessful, surgery. For the next 13 years, she managed long periods of nausea and pain.
Despite her illness, the couple continued to enjoy their life together. They took holidays, including return trips to South Africa and a Caribbean Cruise. They also shared frequent meals out, visits to the theatre to see musicals, and many school holiday outings with their grandchildren.
