While Mabel L. Wagner loved helping others and doing charitable works, she was above all, said her daughter, Janice Gerhard, a homemaker, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.  

"Her family was the main thing in her life," said her daughter.

Mrs. Wagner died on June 16, 2002 at Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck,New Jersey. She was 84 years old.

The proud mother of four was born in Brooklyn and was a longtime resident of Farmingdale before moving to Amityville 30 years ago. She graduated from Farmingdale High School in 1935.

In the earlier years of her marriage, Mrs. Wagner helped with her husband’s family business, The Wagner’s Farmingdale Feed Company.  She worked as a secretary for her husband and in-laws, who owned the company.

For more than 50 years, Mrs. Wagner was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, the women’s volunteer division of the Masonic Lodge.  She was also a member of the Junior League in Amityville and volunteered teaching arts and crafts at a health-care facility.

"She liked to keep busy and help others," said Gerhard. "And with the arts and crafts, she loved hand work, so she enjoyed it. She was always crocheting and doing needlepoint, so we all have remembrances of her that are beautiful."

Before her eyesight failed, Mrs. Wagner enjoyed reading and also delighted in cooking, said her daughter.

Mrs. Wagner is survived by her husband John O. Wagner, and her four children: Janice Gerhard and her husband Frederick of Farmingdale, Mabel ‘Mibs’ Wagner, of Fort Lee, New Jersey; Robin Smith, of Ramsey, New Jersey; John Wagner and his wife Marye, of Clinton, Connecticut. Mrs. Wagner is also survived by nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Wagner reposed at Powell Funeral Home. Religious services were held at the United Methodist Church of Farmingdale, led by Rev. Eldon Simpson. Interment followed at Pinelawn Cemetery.