Mabel M. Verchinski

Mabel (Manning) Verchinski, 75, of Southington, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 15, 2021 at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital of complications relating to her nineteen year battle with Alzheimer’s dementia. She had been the loving wife of Thomas Verchinski for 43years.

Mabel was born on November 18, 1944 in Plainville to the late William (Fred) Manning and Ann Maloney Manning. She graduated from St. Anthony’s High School, Class of 1963 and went on to earn her degree in Elementary Education from St. Joseph’s College, Sebago Lake, Maine, Class of 1967.She went on to earn her Master’s Degree from Central Ct. State University.

Teaching was Mabel’s passion. From the time she was a little girl she would play teacher with her childhood friends. She was a wiz in mathematics in high school and her teachers tried to convince her to go to college for pharmacy. She never could be swayed from her dream job – teaching.

After graduating from college, she returned to Plainville, CT to begin her teaching career at Wheeler Elementary School. For the next 35 years she taught first grade, imparting to over 400 children a sense that they were individually special. Inspiring in them a love for learning which is so critical at their age as it would be the basis for their success while they progressed in their education. One of her greatest joys was to teach a child of one of her former students.

Mabel was an athletic person who loved tennis and downhill skiing and was a member of the Mountain Laurel Ski Club for many years. Her love of music inspired her to sing with the Plainville Choral Society and the St. Dominic church choir. She was also an avid fan of UCONN men and women’s basketball. She attending many games and tournaments and never missing a televised game on PBS.

Over the course of Mabel’s disease she remained at home under the watchful eyes of her husband and devoted caregivers. We are deeply indebted to Mabel’s caregivers who gave dignity to her life, gave normalcy to the effects of a disease that is anything but normal and showered her with their love that gave meaning to her life. Hugs and kisses were the vitamins that kept her going, put a smile on her face and made her feel loved and protected. Denise, Alla, Cynthia, Linda, Gregory, Olga, Sophie, Magdalena, and Dayana all had a unique sense of compassion and empathy that made them special.

In addition to her husband Tom, she is survived by two sons, Jason Verchinski and his wife Tonya of Meriden and David Verchinski of Southington and two cherished granddaughters, Morgan and Layla. She is also survived by her sister, Carolann Gregoire and her husband Normand of Norfolk, VA, her foster brother, Michael Turcott and his wife Corrine of Plainville, two brothers-in-law, Steve Verchinski of Albuquerque, NM and Paul Verchinski and his wife Therese of Columbia, MD, and her nieces and nephews, Cherylann, Kara, Peter and Beth. In addition to her parents, Mabel was predeceased by her brother, David Bedel and sister-in-law, Eleanor Bedel.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mabel’s memory may be made to the Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center, 303 Tunxis Rd., West Hartford, CT, 06107 in care of the Music Ministry.

Walk-through calling hours will be held on Friday, February 19, 2021 from 5 – 7 p.m. at the Plantsville Funeral Home, 975 S. Main St, Plantsville.

A Mass of Christian will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at the Church of St. Dominic, 1050 Flanders Rd, Southington. Burial will follow in St. Thomas Cemetery, Southington. Face coverings and social distancing are required at all times. For online condolences and directions, please visit www.plantsvillefuneralhome.com.