Madeline Marshall

This is Life

“If you can’t help somebody, there’s not much use to living.” So says Mabel Sawhill who, at 97, continues to help people through her catering business. After retiring she began catering to pay for her great-nieces’ schooling and to help her church. Thirty years later she caters weddings, monthly clubs, and other private events. Still able to drive, work full-time, and live independently, Mabel does not see herself slowing down any time soon. When her older sister Eleanor turned 100-years old, Mabel flew the 1,000 miles to Iowa to cater her birthday party. Even though many of the residents at Eleanor’s nursing home were young enough to be her children, Mabel helped out in the kitchen serving food to the residents. Always moving and with “always something to do,” Mabel Sawhill defies the stereotypes of aging.