A memorial service for Mary Griffith Baumgardner Gabel, 96, will be held at 1:30 p.m., March 9, 2013, at Ashland United Methodist Church, 2600 Ashland Road, Columbia SC 29210. The family will receive friends following the service at the church.
Mary was born in Pittsburgh, PA, a daughter of the late William S. and Ann Leahy Griffith. She was the wife of the late Edward L. Baumgardner; after being widowed, she was later married to the late Edwin Gabel. Mary was a graduate of Kent State University in Ohio and taught 6th Grade in Worthington, Ohio for many years. She retired to Naples, Florida where she enjoyed golf and bridge. She moved to Columbia eight years ago after suffering a stroke.
She is survived by her daughter, Phyllis Baumgardner Burkhard and husband Jim of Columbia; grandson, Michael Burkhard and wife, Carla; two great-grandsons, Christopher and Zachary Burkhard, all of Durham, N.C. She is also survived by her sister, Catherine G. Cooper of Rochester, N.Y.; sister-in-law, Jean Griffith of Mooresville, N.C. and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by three brothers, William S. Griffith, Jr., Thomas Edward Griffith and John Leahy Griffith.
Your thoughts and prayers are sufficient, but those who wish to do something further are encouraged to contribute to the American Heart Association, 520 Gervais Street, Suite 300, Columbia SC 29201 or a charity of one's choice.
Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel, Irmo is assisting the family.