Mabel Faoro
Mabel Evelyn Faoro passed away peacefully at her home on September 16, 2023.
Mabel was born on June 6, 1929, to Anna M. Totten and Wilfred G. Totten at Parshall Hospital in Oneonta, NY. After graduating from Jefferson Central School in 1946, she studied at the State University of New York at Albany and later the State University College at Oneonta, completing a BA degree and graduate work.
In 1949 Mabel married Gino John Faoro and moved to his family’s farm in Grand Gorge, NY. She had a busy life there helping with the dairy farm and caring for the six daughters they welcomed into the world over the first ten years. She and Gino both made family the center of their lives.
In 1961 Mabel took a position teaching high school English and Spanish in Grand Gorge Central School, where she taught until the school closed in 1980. Following the closure of Grand Gorge Central School she taught at Roxbury Central School until her retirement. She loved teaching and thoroughly enjoyed working with young adults both in the classroom and as a coach or advisor for school plays, prize speaking, the senior yearbook, and other activities, and she kept in touch with many former students.
Mabel had a lifelong love of reading and she enjoyed sewing and knitting for daughters and grandchildren. In retirement she and Gino especially enjoyed attending auctions and exploring country roads, but most of all they loved traveling to visit family. In recent years Mabel enjoyed time with her beloved dog, Mollie.
Mabel is survived by her six children: Victoria Faoro (Lou DeLuca), Linda Rohacevich (Joe), Susan Tepfer (Stanton), Gina Gratton (Jim), Jamie Kellerhouse, and Deborah Rodrigues (Bob); 14 grandchildren, and 20 great grandchildren, as well as cousins, nephews, nieces, and caring friends.
Mabel was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Gino J. Faoro, infant brother Stewart Wilfred Totten, and brother Wilfred Paul Totten.
Following private family services, a community gathering to celebrate the life of Mabel Faoro will be held on Thursday, October 5 from 3:00-4:30 at the Grand Gorge Fire Dept. Hall. All are invited to join the family in remembering her. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Grand Gorge Rescue Squad, Helios Care (Oneonta, NY) or Heart of the Catskill Humane Society (Delhi, NY).
The family thanks her loving caregivers, her friends, and Helios Care.