COCOA, Fla. — Mabel “Groen” Morrison, 92, went to heaven on Jan. 31, 2018 in Cocoa, Fla.
Mabel was born Oct. 3, 1926 in County Antrim Northern Ireland to Joseph Charles and Barbara Ann (Connolly) Bingham.
Mabel lost her mother as a young woman and had to endure the hardship of being separated from her father and brothers during World War II as the children were evacuated from Belfast during the German Bombings of Europe. During the war Mabel met and married U.S. Army soldier Fred A. Groen who was stationed in Northern Ireland on April 28, 1944. Mabel and Fred’s first child, Freddie, was born in Northern Ireland.
When the war ended, Fred was honorably discharged from the Army with a Purple Heart. He and Mabel were separated for a short time until she and their young son, Freddie, left for America on April 4, 1946. Mabel then left the “Green Green Grass of Home” and sailed on the USAT Henry Gibbins for eight days to New York with her first born, Freddie, and 450 other war brides and children. After arriving in America, Mabel and Fred settled in the Rochelle area where their family would grow by another four children, Sydney, Barbara, Colleen and Rogene. Wanting to embrace her new homeland, she attained her citizenship on Nov. 15, 1961; however, she did not lose her brogue.
Mabel loved fishing, crocheting, bowling and golfing but her greatest joy in life was spending time with her family. She always had a way of making each one of her children feel special. Even in the last moments of her life she told each of them how much she loved them.
She was a member of the VFW Women’s Auxiliary, Rochelle Country Club and a member of the United Methodist Church. Besides raising a family, she worked at Caron Spinning and retired from Swift & Co. after 18 years.
She was a strong and courageous woman who endured many hardships but she never lost her smile or her deep love for life and her family. During her life she would lose her oldest son, Freddie, to a tragic car accident and she would outlive three husbands. After the death of her first husband, Fred, she would find love again with John Dusenberry, a man who showered her with much love and affection. After the passing of John she developed a friendship with her third husband, James Morrison, that bloomed into marriage.
She also endured the passing of her parents, Joseph and Barbara Bingham, grandchild Katie Groen, brothers Syndney Bingham and James Bingham, daughter-in-law Nancy Groen, son-in-law Mike Armstrong, niece Judith Bingham and one great-nephew, Christopher Powell.
Mabel is survived by her beloved children, Sydney K. Groen of Mishawaka, Ind., Barbara A. Armstrong of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., Colleen M. Miller of Cocoa, Fla., and Rogene Crowell of Rockledge, Fla.; grandchildren, Shelly Hilliard, Dawn Clark, Carrie Hartley, Freddie Groen, Kevin Groen, Ken Groen, Larrisa Kelly, Sara Armstrong, Laura Dusenberry, Jennifer Dusenberry, Scotty McCray and Kyle Crowell; great-grandchildren, Brook Napoleone, Brittanee Ryland, Jordan Ryland, Kyle, Branden, Madison and Daniele Clark, Cathryn and Xavier Hartley, Cadiance, Alyssa and Parker Groen, Fury Groen, Sebastian Kelly, Avery Wells, Shane and Dylan Swisher and Jayson, Teagan and Deagan Crowell; great-great-grandchildren Kate Napoleone, Noemmie Feller, Alliannan Feller and Kellen Boyd.
Mabel is also survived by her brother, Charles Bingham of Belfast Northern Ireland, many nephews and nieces both here and in Northern Ireland. She is also survived by long-time friend Norman Peters of Rochelle.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, Feb. 25 in Cocoa, Fla.