Mabel Willing (Keemer) Service Information

Mabel K. Willing, of Ivyland, PA, died peacefully on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at Doylestown Hospital. She was 92. 

Mabel was the beloved wife of 59 years to the late Frederick Edward Willing, III. 

Born in Lancaster PA, Mabel was the daughter of the late Joseph F. Keemer and Virginia Carter Keemer and the sister to the late Mary Lou Wilkerson and Jolene Pietsch.

Mabel completed her undergraduate degree in education at Millersville University in 1954 and later received a master’s degree from The College of New Jersey, formerly Trenton State College. She met her loving husband Fred while studying at Millersville. On the day Fred first saw her practicing with the Dolphins Synchronized Swimming Team, he was smitten. That very day he joined the team as a diver to get to know her. He was also seen and heard serenading Mabel outside of her dorm window. Together they created a life centered on family, education, friends, and fun!

Mabel loved learning and dedicated her life to education. Her career began at the Walt Disney Elementary School in Lower Bucks County where she taught Kindergarten for five years. When her own boys were starting school, she was offered a newly created job at the Bucks County Intermediate Unit working with students who were deaf or hard of hearing, a need caused by the German measles epidemic. She continued her schooling in the area of deaf education and worked for the Bucks County Intermediate Unit until her retirement. Before leaving the Intermediate Unit, she took on the role of supervisor of the hearing and vision programs for several years as well.  Mabel’s kind and understanding way with students - and everyone - enabled her to have a profound effect on many. Still, she was genuinely touched by the many former students who continued relationships with her into adulthood.  If an activity looked interesting or fun, Mabel wanted to try it! Some of her hobbies included painting, weaving, quilting, ballroom dancing, and attending opera and shows. She was an avid reader and enjoyed traveling, cooking, baking/cake decorating, and playing with her grandchildren when they were young. In the outdoors, she could be seen gardening, skiing, rollerblading, sailing, and swimming. She was also a founding member of the Bucks County Sertoma Club, an organization dedicated to helping individuals with speech and hearing disorders, and served as their President well into her 80’s.

Mabel is survived by her sons, Gregory S. Willing (Judith A. Willing) of Spring Grove, PA and Douglas J. Willing (Julie Ungerer) of Elkins Park, PA.; grandchildren Ethan, Megan, Dylan and Dustin Willing, and Dylan, Sean, and Joe Welch; sister Beatrice Armer from Quarryville PA, and brother Joseph F. Keemer of Lancaster PA. Mabel also leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Mabel’s family will receive friends on Saturday, October 7, 2023, from 10:00am until her memorial service at 12:00pm in the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, 800 Newtown-Richboro Rd. (at Holland Rd.), Richboro, PA  18954.  Her interment will be private. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mabel’s memory may be made to an organization of your choice, one that would make Mabel smile.

Send Flowers And Gifts