1924 – 2024 GARDINER - Our beloved mother Mabel Ellen (Utecht) Delcourt passed away peacefully on March 1st, 2024, at the home of her eldest daughter Mary Ellen Gilbert. She lived with her son-in-law Richard and her daughter in Gardiner for almost 7 years. It was an honor to share the last years of her life with us. Mabel graduated from Brunswick High School. She served as a WAVE in the U. S. Navy during World War II. Mabel worked at Pejepscot Paper Company in Topsham and later at Gannett Publishing Company in Portland. Finally, she worked at the Scott Paper Company (formerly S.D. Warren) in Westbrook for over 25 years. Mabel is predeceased by her husband of over 40 years, Roger Delcourt. Also, her parents Hilmar P. Utecht and Anna Fitz Utecht, her sister Mary Smith, brother Edward Utecht and infant sisters Phyllis and Dorothy. Besides her daughter Mary Ellen, Mabel is also survived by her daughter Anne Moore and her husband Andy of Steep Falls. She had 5 grandchildren: Jessica Roakes, Athena Lavigne, Randi Soper, Jamie Williams, and Wesley Gilbert. She had nine great grandchildren: Caleb Roakes, Jerry Worden, Abigail Worden, Amaya Raye Lavigne, Mathis Lavigne, Allyssa Lynn Crockett, Christopher Lane, James Woodcock, and Elise Gilbert. She had 2 great great grandchildren: Akadia and Maise. She is also survived by her brother, Hilmar Utecht, and sister-in-law Olive Ann Utecht of Topsham as well as nieces and nephews and various other family members. Mabel's faith was a strong guiding factor in her life. She was a member of several Catholic Churches depending on where she was living: St. Hyacinth's Church in Westbrook, St. Ambrose Church in Richmond, and finally St. Joseph's Church in Gardiner. She took several bus trips to Quebec to visit churches and cathedrals there. While living in Richmond she volunteered at the public library and the elementary school library. Our mom was a woman with many interests and hobbies. She loved the ocean and collecting sand dollars. She would watch the backyard birds, but her favorite birds were puffins. She liked gardening and her favorite flowers were lupines. Mom loved to knit and play cribbage. To keep her mind sharp, she would do jigsaw puzzles as well as working on word search and crossword puzzles. Her favorite sports teams were the Red Sox and Celtics, and she would let it be known when she really liked or disliked a player. In honor of Mom's love of cats and dogs please consider giving a donation in her name to your local animal shelter. Finally, Mom's secret to living until 21 days before her 100th birthday: "a banana a day"! We love you Mom and will miss you every day. Mabel's visiting hours will be held at Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, from 9 – 11 am on Saturday, March 16th, with a Mass of Christian burial being celebrated at 12:00 pm following visiting hours at St. Joseph Catholic Church, School Street, Gardiner. A spring burial will be held at 12:00pm on Friday, June 14th, 2024, at the Old Central Maine Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, 143 Blue Star Avenue, Augusta. Arrangements and guidance are entrusted with Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, Maine. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website, www.staplesfuneralhome.com