Mable (Wakeman) Vaitses, 98, of Mattapoisett died at home November 6, 2015. She was the wife of the late Allan Holmes Vaitses, decorated World War II veteran and renowned boat builder and author, with whom she shared 67 years of marriage.
Born November 15, 1916, and raised on Wakeman Farm in Westport, CT, Mrs. Vaitses was the daughter of the late John Staples Wakeman and Mary (Gould) Wakeman. She was the ninth and last surviving of their ten children.
Mrs. Vaitses also lived with and assisted her sister the late Charlotte Wood and her family at Stonegate Farm in Sherbon, MA and summered in Mattapoisett where she met her husband.
Mrs. Vaitses married at Seamen’s Bethel in 1938 and the couple spent their honeymoon with Cpt. Small and his wife at New Bedford Lighthouse. Mr. and Mrs. Vaitses built their first home in Mattapoisett with remnants from the 1938 hurricane, where they raised their two children, including during a period of time while her husband was deployed with the army in World War II prior to and during the occupation of Japan.
Mrs. Vaitses subsequently lived on the shores of Mattapoisett until her death, and along with her husband assisted in raising three of their grandchildren.
Mrs. Vaitses was a member of Mattapoisett Congregational Church. She was a graduate of N.E. Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution Fort Phoenix Chapter.
Mrs. Vaitses was formerly self-employed as a photographer, and along with her many subjects photographed many local weddings and children. She also enjoyed ceramics, painting and art of every kind. Mrs. Vaitses enjoyed spending time with her family. In her later years, she enjoyed gardening and created a secret garden with her husband for the great-grandchildren.
Survivors include a daughter, Gail V. Elen of Fairhaven, a son, Stephen P. Vaitses and his wife Carol Jane of Clinton, CT; 5 grandchildren, Stephen E. Vaitses of Mattapoisett, Allayne Boruch Esq. and her husband John of Portsmouth, RI, Allan H. Vaitses, II and his wife Lora of Marion, Meagan E. Vaitses of Clinton, CT, and Peter M. Elen of Fairhaven; 9 great-grandchildren, Ross, Brandy, Catherine and Haley Vaitses, Avery and John W. Boruch, Elizabeth, Jenna and Grace Vaitses; and many nieces and nephews.
She was the mother-in-law of the late Peter Elen and the sister of the late Wilbur, John, Isaac, George and Robert Wakeman, Charlotte Wood, Ruth Kay, Dorothy Shaw and Margaret Sargent.
Her Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 14th at 3 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6) Mattapoisett. Her family will receive guests from 1 – 3 PM prior to her service. For directions guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.