Mabel Aileen Starr, 86, passed away peacefully Monday afternoon, May 15, 2017 in her room at Elmwood at the Shawhan in Tiffin, Ohio.

She was born in Cuyahoga County, in northeast Ohio, on June 8, 1930. Mabel met her husband, Merle Gene Starr, in college and they were married August 3, 1953. She was a longtime resident of Tiffin, Ohio for nearly 53 years.

Surviving  are daughters,  Jim and Elaine (Starr) Houck of Colorado, Bill and Diane (Starr) Schorr of Illinois and David and Dr. Jean (Starr) Clark of Ohio;  sisters, Sandra Rudolph and Sharon Heisley;  eight grandchildren, Brandon, Ryan and Sean Bish, Marissa and Bethany Schorr, and Hannah, Emma and Abigail Clark; and five great-grandchildren.

Preceding  her in death were her parents, Harvey and Izetta Rudolph; husband, Merle Gene Starr; daughter, Ann Marie Starr; sister, Betty Jean Clemens;  and granddaughter, Megan Bish-Ritter.

Mabel graduated from Pratt R. Spencer High School in northeast Ohio in 1947. She attended Ohio State University in Columbus, receiving a bachelor degree to teach home economics in 1952. Mabel worked as a home economics teacher and as a substitute teacher for several counties throughout the years. After raising her family, she worked in uptown Tiffin at several businesses.

As an active member of St. Paul’s Methodist Church in the 1970’s and 80’s, she taught Sunday  School and Bible School. Mabel was a 25-year advisor for a home economics 4-H club in Tiffin and was a Girl Scout leader locally for 25 years. She was a member of the American Association of University Women for many years. Because of her love of flowers and plants, she was a member of the Blossoms and Butterflies Garden Club.

Mabel, the Cat Lady, was passionate for her felines and rescued many animals, finding much-needed homes for them. She also enjoyed fundraising events for the School of Opportunity and helped with Autumnwood Care Center’s Auxiliary over many years. Mabel loved flea markets, auctions and sales and was a Tiffin Flea Market vendor for nearly 20 years. She loved her daughters and spending time with all the grand and great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, May 27, 2017 at Greenlawn Cemetery with Rev. Hannah Tucker officiating.

Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Seneca County or to the family.

Condolences may be sent to and the guestbook signed at www.hgmackfuneralhome.com