Mabel (Forzley) MacKoul, Assad

Mabel Rachel (Forzley) MacKoul, Assad, age 95, of York Harbor, Maine formerly of 86 Commodore Road in Worcester, MA, fell asleep on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 surrounded by her loving family.

Mabel was the beloved matriarch and CEO of her large, extended family – “the heart, the soul and the brains”.  She was an intelligent, articulate, gifted and dedicated business executive, wife and mother.  She displayed consistent optimism and enthusiasm for life.   With morning coffee brewing in the sunlight of her kitchen overlooking the beautiful woods on the southern coast of Maine, Mabel, who enjoyed making freshly baked homemade blueberry muffins, always had a cheerful smile and would greet family members saying “It’s a beautiful morning”.   “Mother Mabel” was unique in many ways and had many special gifts, including an amazing mathematical ability that enabled her to do mental math on the spot and her incredible skills as a gourmet chef in both Middle Eastern and American culinary arts.

Mabel, a selfless woman, “had a heart of gold” and had room in her heart for everyone she met.  She was extremely compassionate and generous with her love, time and resources, helping anyone she could.  Indeed, she was the epitome of the “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silvertstein and her creativity, love, wisdom, foresight and charisma enhanced the quality of life for all who knew her.   Mabel’s philosophy and values in life that she instilled in her children were:  “be kind, be generous, be useful and be fearless”.  Mabel was famous for her motto “Why Not?!”  She was a quintessential role model to all of us. 

Mabel, one of seven children of Lebanese parents, Bashara and Almaza Forzley, was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, on February 1, 1923.  She grew up in Worcester, Mass, graduated from Commerce High School and earned her degree from Becker College.  She worked as an administrative assistant at C.K. Smith for several years.  At age 22 she met and married Raymond J. MacKoul of Worcester, MA a love that lasted for 25 extraordinary and wonderful years until he passed away in January 1971.  Raymond and Mabel co-founded R.J. MacKoul Produce, a successful and well known produce business throughout Massachusetts.  She co-chaired the business for the next 30 years before retiring in 1976.  

Mabel lived in Worcester from birth until 1973.  In March 1973, Mabel married her second husband, Fred C. Assad, of York, Maine, and relocated to York Harbor, Maine.  Fred owned the Warren’s Lobster House Restaurant in Kittery, Maine and they were married for 20 happy years until he passed away in 1993.

Mabel is survived by her devoted daughter, Janice M. Randolph and her husband William “Bill” Randolph of New York City, her stepdaughter, Marilynn Keller of California, her deceased son’s spouse, Dana MacKoul Harenza of Reading, Pennsylvania, and her deceased stepson’s wife, Pamela Assad of Jamaica Plains, Massachusetts; six grandchildren including William B. Randolph II and his significant other Joanna Dixon of Andover, Massachusetts,  Dr. Rachel E. Randolph of New York City, Raymond J. MacKoul III of Delray, Florida, Nicholas Assad, Alexis Assad and Stephen Assad, Jr. of Massachusetts, two great great-grandchildren, Annabelle M. Randolph and William Bryan Randolph, III; and an extended family that includes three sisters-in-laws, Jeanette Forzley, Jeanette MacKoul and Gladys MacKoul, and one brother-in-law, Albert MacKoul, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.  Her son, R. John MacKoul Jr., passed away in May of 2008 and her stepson, Stephen Assad, passed away in December 2015.  Mabel was predeceased by siblings Julia Koury, Victor Forzley, Anne Najemy, Evelyn Abodeely, Mitchell Forzley and Leo B. Forzley, Sr.

Mabel was a very spiritual woman who truly believed that faith, family, strong family values, hard work and friends were the most important attributes in life, which kept her mindful, focused and positive in everything she did and with everyone she met.  Mabel belonged to two Christian Orthodox churches.  She was a very active member at both churches and Women’s Club of St. George Orthodox Cathedral in Worcester, MA and St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  Mabel was also a member of the Eastern Star Organization of Massachusetts.  Her unwavering Christian Orthodox faith supported her through the many hardships and challenges she endured.  She had a strong constitution and always rose to the occasion and moved forward regardless of what challenges she faced.  Mabel and her daughter, Janice, shared a special bond and were devoted to each other.

With Mabel’s passing, a great heart has been stopped, a great voice has been stilled and she will be truly missed by everyone.  She was the bright shining light wherever she was.  The heavens will shine less bright tonight following her passing.   

Mabel’s family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation and admiration to Dr. Adrienne Knopf, Dr. James Dineen, Dr. Colleen Channick and their respective staffs at Mass General Hospital in Boston, MA for their incredible medical care and the personal affection shown to Mabel.  They would also like to thank the outstanding staff at Durgin Pines Rehab Center in Kittery, ME for several years of loving and professional care provided to Mabel.  In addition, Mabel’s family would like to thank all of Mabel’s private caregivers in Maine for their extraordinary professional care, devotion and extra “TLC” to Mabel, which enhanced the quality of her life and especially her great friends and wonderful neighbors, Kim Bartalomy, Kathy and Arnold Harrison, Nancy and Vince Albert and Rose and John Beach.

In celebration of her life, friends and family are invited to pay their respects during calling hours Frday, October 5, 2018 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm and again Saturday, October 6^th from 10:00 am to 10:45 am  in the St. George Orthodox Cathedral, 30 Anna Street, Worcester, followed by her funeral service at 11:00 a.m.  in the Cathedral. The Reverend Milad Selim, Dean of the Cathedral, and Reverend Robert Archon c/o St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, will officiate.  Burial will follow in Hope Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in her name can be made to the Almaza Forzley Fund – Women’s Club, c/o St. George Orthodox Cathedral, 30 Anna Street, Worcester, MA  01604.    This fund provides emergency financial assistance for food and shelter to members of the St. George Orthodox Cathedral community and their families. “MAY HER MEMORY BE ETERNAL"