Mabel Dolores Lee, age 89, passed away on November 23, 2024 in Murrieta, California. She was born in the year 1935 in Los Angeles, California to Alfonso and Clara Merino. Mabel attended South Gate High School and worked at the South Gate pool where she met the love of her life and future husband, Donald Lee. They married in 1954 and went on to have four children: Karen, Don Jr., Gary, and Monica.

Mabel was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother of ten grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. Her family meant everything to her, and like a fierce momma bear, was a force to be reckoned with when it came to protecting her loved ones. Mabel was the quintessential homemaker: she was an excellent cook, enjoyed sewing and crocheting, loved working in her garden, and especially cherished working with young children. After raising her own children, Mabel worked various jobs: at The Broadway, Don Thomas Jewelers, the Anaheim Convention Center, and—her love of all—working as an aide with children at elementary schools in the Murrieta School District.  Mabel worked with children until she permanently retired at the age of 77.

As a devout Roman Catholic her entire life, Mabel loved her faith very much and dedicated her time and efforts to supporting the Church. She worshipped Our Lord Jesus and honored the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mabel, along with her husband, Don made many sacrifices to ensure that all four of their children attended parochial school. It was important to them that their children were raised to have a strong Catholic foundation.

Mabel is survived by her husband of 70 years, her four children, three generations of grandchildren, and her three brothers Alfonso, William, and Dennis. She made a loving impression on this world during her life. She will be deeply missed and will always be in our hearts and memories.

A mass and rosary will be held at St. Martha Catholic Church on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at 10:45 am. The address is 37200 Whitewood Rd, Murrieta, CA. Following the mass, a memorial service will be held at the Riverside National Cemetery at 1:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Rachel's Vineyard www.rachelsvineyard.org in Mabel Lee's name.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to England Family Mortuary, Inc.