Mabel "Nanny" Sparks Marsh

Mabel "Nanny" Sparks Marsh

Mabel Sparks Marsh passed away on Saturday, April 23, 2016, in Boise, Idaho.  She was born in Mount Enterprise, Texas, on January 1, 1916.  She was preceded in death by the love of her life, Lawrence Marsh, in 1989.  Mabel was known to her family as “Nanny.”

Mabel left behind a legacy of love, generosity, and service. In love, she and Lawrence were proud to be considered the strong couple, sought out by couples in trouble for marital advice in times of marital challenges. 

She lived a life dedicated to service, spending decades as an active member of the Red Coats, a volunteer organization dedicated to making the lives of Schlesinger Nursing Home patients a little bit happier. Mabel always had a warm smile, a touch, and words of encouragement for the residents there. She recognized and taught her family the value of this service to others, explaining that service to others, particularly her time at Schlesinger’s, was the key to her personal happiness. 

Mabel was generous in her love and dedication to her family and friends. If ever there was person in need, Mabel was at their side. She traveled to help her family through many moves and transitions. Mabel was always there, sleeves rolled up, making many a house into a home—and outworking those of us at a fraction of her age. She picked up more people, more times, putting them back on their feet (in every way imaginable) than any one could count. Mabel gave without ceasing, in every way, throughout her entire life.

If you knew Mabel well, you knew she was very disciplined in her weekly schedule. You could tell exactly where she was and what she as doing at any moment based on the time and day of the week. On Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday evening she’d be at the Westgate Church of Christ. Thursday morning she was at Schlesinger’s.  Friday morning, she was cleaning her house. Daily at 9am, she’d be out “taking her exercise,” which consisted of a 2 mile walk, followed by sweeping her driveway.  In the evening, before dinner, she’d walk another 2 miles.  Her routine and healthy living provided an amazing quality of life to her, allowing her to live well into her late 90s with mobility and grace, while looking and acting decades younger.

One of our favorite memories to share of Nanny: during weekly Friday morning house cleaning (starting promptly every week at 10am), she’d always have the radio blasting zydeco or Glenn Miller, and she would foxtrot her way around the whole house—singing, humming, and cleaning the house meticulously from top to bottom. She LOVED to dance.

Mabel had a deep love for Christ and the Bible, and she maintained a strong sense of spirituality, fostered through her many years of attendance at Westgate Church of Christ and South Park Church of Christ. She had deep involvement in her Church family and was beloved by many.  Mabel maintained a keen interest in her Church family to the end of her life. 

She had a special light inside of her that attracted people to her. People often came to me and told me that Mabel was their favorite.  I think this is because she cared deeply about people and always made them feel special. She also had an amazing honesty, where she would say exactly what she thought to anybody at any time, but she’d say it in such a way, without one bit of ill will or guile, that people couldn’t take offence, because she was so kind, loving, and honest.

A special and heartfelt thank you goes out to the amazing staff from Harrison’s Hope Hospice and Amber Lane Residence who loved and cared for Mabel throughout her last years. I know how well she appreciated your friendship and care.  Her family appreciates you too. 

Also, special thanks to the many friends of the family who gave the most special gift one could give to Mabel: their time and friendship. Thank you, each of you, so very much: the massages, the flowers, the nails painted, the hands held, the coffee and chats shared, the special treats—your friendship to our Nanny in the last years of her life was pure gold.

Mabel is survived by her family: her son, Robert (Bob) Marsh of Boise, Idaho; granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Kaitlin Thimann and her husband, Daniel, of Rustington, England; grandson, Austin Marsh, of Boise, Idaho; grandson and grand-daughter in-law, Joshua Marsh and his wife, Natalie, of Lake Oswego, Oregon; and great-grandchildren, Samantha and Emily.

A gathering Mrs. Marsh’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., Friday, April 29, 2016, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 30, 2016, at Broussard’s, with her interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.