Birth date: Feb 11, 1922 Death date: Aug 11, 2022
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Mrs. Mabel Francis Caron, 100, formerly of Lancaster, SC, passed away Thursday, August 11, 2022, at Veterans Victory House in Walterboro, where she was in hospice care since July 6, 2022. She was born February 11, 1922, in Lawrence, Massachusetts, a daughter of the late Waddy Herbert Francis and Mary Ellis Francis. Mrs. Caron was a US Navy Veteran and served as a WAVE during World War II. The family of Mrs. Caron will hold a visitation on Monday, August 15, 2022, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Lancaster Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Lancaster, SC. A service to celebrate the life of Mrs. Caron will be held Tuesday, August 16, 2022, at 11 o'clock a.m. at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Lancaster, SC with Father Javier Heredia presiding. Burial will be in the Lancaster Memorial Park with military honors. The family will hold a reception after the burial at the St. Catherine Catholic Church Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the St. Catherine Catholic Church in honor of Mabel Caron.Mrs. Caron is survived by her children Patricia Lewis, Mary Drennan (Frank), Raymond Caron (Inma), James Caron (Sally), David Caron, Robert Caron (Teresa), and Waddy Caron (Susan); and her grandchildren Anne-Marie Lewis, Heather Lewis, Scott Drennan (Deanna), Ashley Drennan Bond (Keith), Gregory Drennan, Nicole Caron (Michael Besch), Michelle Caron, Natalie Caron, Tyler Caron (Vanessa), Michael Caron, Matthew Caron, Jenna Walters, Adam Walters (Becca), Thomas W. Dean III, Emily Caron, Rachel Caron, and Caroline Caron; her great-grandchildren Thibault Faouz (Marle), William Lewis (Alyssa), Tillman Drennan, Dillon Drennan, Gracie Drennan and her great-great-grandchildren Magnolia Faouz, Ava Lewis, and Cole Lewis. Mabel Caron graduated from Lancaster High School in 1938 as valedictorian and the class president. She went onto attend Business College in Charlotte, NC where she excelled in typing and shorthand. During World War II when President Roosevelt opened the armed forces for women to serve in 1943, Mabel joined the Navy WAVES. She served in communications where she wrote shorthand during Classified Norfolk Command strategy meetings and then typed them into memos for distribution. Mabel was a very fast typist and could read encoded messages as well as shorthand and type them into briefs for Navy Officers. There were many days when she was placed into a Jeep and rushed across base to attend a meeting where she would record in shorthand then travel back to the offices to type up the translations and then go back to deliver the typed memos. Mabel was assigned to the Navy Intelligence Unit where she learned to identify encoded German correspondence and helped the Navy identify German spies on the Norfolk Navy Base which led to their capture and prosecution. Mabel served until the war ended in 1945 and then married Paul Caron, a Navy seaman who she met in Norfolk. They returned to Lancaster, SC to settle down and start a family where Mabel raised seven children. Mabel’s father, Waddy Francis donated the land and raised funds to build St. Catherine Catholic Church in Lancaster, SC where Mabel taught religion classes for over 30 years. She wrote weekly articles for the SC Catholic Diocese paper and was awarded the Diocesan St. Pius X medal for Confraternity of Christian Doctrine by Bishop Russell. Throughout her time in Lancaster, Mabel was very active as a volunteer and held several offices including the Secretary of the Easter Seals Society, President of the American Legion Auxiliary, President of the Ladies Guild and the first female President of the Lancaster Toastmasters Club. In addition to raising seven children, Mabel worked as an Executive Assistant at Springs Mills for several executives including the President, Mr. Bill Close. When her youngest child entered elementary school in 1967, she started working at the Springs Credit Union where she served for 19 years until her retirement. She moved to Charleston SC in 2000 to be closer to her children and spend time with her grandchildren. In 2015 she moved into assisted living at the Carter-May Home where this past February she celebrated her 100th birthday with her children, fellow residents, and special guest Bishop Guglielmone of the Diocese of Charleston. She reminisced about her time in the Navy and laughed as her children told stories of funny experiences they had growing up in Lancaster. When asked what her secret to a long life is, she told us there is no secret, just have faith in God, always help others, even if it is just a hug, and never pass up dessert. Lancaster Funeral Home & Cremation Service is serving the family of Mrs. Caron.Read Obituary
I was sad to hear of Mabel's passing. She was a vital part of my life at St. Catherine's. She played the organ, and I was in her choir for a while. Had visits to the Caron's home. She was always sweet and caring. Love you. Miss you.
(Fr) Donald P. Baker
I've known this family since I was a young boy in Lancaster SC. Mrs. Caron was such a beautiful soul as was her parents. My thoughts and deepest prayers go out to the family. Rest in the Lord's arms Mrs. Caron. Mark S.
Taylor - Windsor, California
We're so sorry to hear of Mabel passing. She was my Godmother and I have sweet memories of me, my brother Scott and family spending time with her and seeing her at church. you are all in our thoughts and prayers. Lisa Mahaffey Gaytko, Annette and Scott Mahaffey.
Patricia and family, sending my thoughts and prayers for the passing of your beautiful Mom. What a legacy she leaves, her accomplishments over a lifetime and most important a beautiful family. May God bless you with his strength, comfort and peace during this time. You will always miss her but think about all the memories of your mom and family. Libby Grier Steele, Class of ‘64.
Thank you, Libby!
Pat Caron Lewis
She was such an amazing woman! It's no wonder she had such wonderful children, especially Mary, whom i had the privilege of knowing in high school. 100 years old--what a special blessing for all of you! My thoughts and prayers! Iris Robinson
I remember her so well! A beautiful woman with a big heart and wonderful children who she adored. She was the best cook - along with so many other talents I am just learning of. I hope you all are well - how lucky to have had her in your lives for so long. With love, Judy Bistany
Mary, Frank, Scott and Ashley, I am so sorry over the loss of your sweet Mother. She was always very special to me and I enjoyed waiting on her at the Nine West office, after she retired. She had quite a life and you all were Blessed to have her for 100 years, and your family has always been very special to me, also. I remember Ashley coming by the office at Springdale Rd, dressed in her Easter outfit and bringing a Baskey full of treats for all of us. I would love to have seen your family, but I have a Dental appt at the same time of the Service. Please know that each of you will be in my thoughts and Prayers in the weeks ahead....prayers for Peace and Comfort.....I will always love your sweet family, Nancye Hammond
Thank you, Peggy!
Pat Caron Lewis
So sad to hear of gracious and beautiful Mabel passing. We met many years ago at St. Catherines Catholic Church. A very special memory of Mabel is when she asked me if she could go to the Charlotte Colosseum with me and my children to see Mother Teresa speak. We attended the event together and it was very special to both of us. She also sent me a letter, which I still have, concerning pro-life issues - she was very kind and encouraging!! Everyone knows Mabel had connections to God and when I think of her passing I know she’s in heaven looking down and I want to say…Mabel please ask God to have mercy on me and my family at this time…thank you. May her family have peace knowing she is with God, knowing what a devout, beautiful Christian woman she was during her lifetime! God bless you all!!
