Alverna A. McCabe (née Mekel) of Doylestown, PA, died peacefully at her home, Pine Run Health Center, on Sunday, February 14, 2016, surrounded by her family at the age of 92.

Alverna was the beloved wife of Thomas J. McCabe who died March 18, 2008. Survived by all of her 14 children, she was the loving mother and mother-in-law of Mary Margaret Clark (Jack), Philip Bernard McCabe (Jeanne), Gregory Louis McCabe (Adrienne), Thomas Albert McCabe (Debbie), Teresa Anne Wetmore (Mark), Monica Frances Collins (Robert), Clare Jeanne McCabe (Steve Wolfe), Agnes Bernadette Jones, Mark Joseph McCabe, Christopher Ignatius McCabe (Suzanne), Paul Martin de Porres McCabe (Elizabeth), Gerard Matthias McCabe (Jill), Peter Damien McCabe (Lucy) and Brendan Patrick McCabe.

Alverna is sadly missed by her brother, the Hon. Edward Mekel (Hilda). She was pre-deceased by her brothers Jack Mekel (Phyllis), David Mekel (Mary) and her sister, Elaine Foley Cosgrove (Frank). She is also survived by 31 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

Alverna was born October 11, 1923. She was the daughter of Jacob and Margaret (née Magee) Mekel. She was the oldest of five children.

Alverna’s father, Jacob, was a Jewish immigrant from Vilna, and her mother, Margaret, of Irish Catholic descent, was born in Philadelphia.

Born in North Philadelphia and raised in West Oak Lane, Alverna was a member of Saint Athanasius parish. She was a proud graduate of Germantown High School, class of 1942.

Alverna worked several jobs after high school, notably and with enthusiasm starting her secretarial career with Bendix Corporation and Connelly Container. She had various secretarial jobs throughout her life and finished as a sales office manager for her sons’ family housewares business.

Alverna met her sweetheart, Tom McCabe, at Saint Athanasius in West Oak Lane, and following their courtship they were married there on June 18, 1949.

In 1950, Alverna with Thomas moved their expanding family to Bucks County where it would grow to 14 children in 17 years. After living on Stump Road and then on Patty Lane in Warrington for over 20 years, Alverna’s next adventure in life with Tom and her children was the family’s move to Spring House to their new home that they affectionately called “Irish Hill,” a stately English mansion that had more than 2 acres of land, 25 rooms, 6 baths, and 10 fireplaces. Many thought “Irish Hill” referred to the big house on the hill; yet the hill actually referred to the 14 children who, when lined up, shoulder-to-shoulder, comprised the true “Irish Hill”.

Ali, as she was affectionately known, and Tom enjoyed festive family gatherings, including 3 weddings and an annual St. Patrick’s Day Mass and party where all families and children were invited. As a loving mother and wife, her dedication to her family was unmatched as she was always the last to bed and first to rise.

Alverna’s love and generosity for her family was displayed in a personal love letter to Tom, on the occasion of this move to Irish Hill in 1970. Alverna had the presence of mind to mail the letter from their home in Warrington to their new home in Spring House. Her personal note lovingly read: “Dearest Tommy: Words can’t express my happiness these past 20 years. All that you’ve given me, and wished for me. Once again we are experiencing a new adventure because of your courage and foresightedness. Let’s pray our adventure will last for many years and that we continue to grow in wisdom and love. My love you have always, Alverna.”

As our Dad always pointed out to the children, “nothing was ever an interruption for your mother,” and all new adventures were embraced with enthusiasm. Alverna and Tom made many family trips around the country with their children. For example, in 1966, Ali and Tom drove 12 of their children to Mexico City in a Ford Club Wagon van.

Integral throughout Ali’s life was her Catholic faith and education. A true matriarch, Alverna attended daily mass with Tom and enjoyed close relationships with many others in the Catholic faith, including their involvement with Project HOME and Pax Christi. Ali was active in St. Joseph’s, St. Rose of Lima, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish ministries.

Alverna and Tom’s motto in life was and will continue to be, for their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, LOA …“Love One Another.”

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her viewing Thursday evening from 6:00 to 9:00PM at the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, 241 E. Butler Ave. (at Sandy Ridge Rd.), New Britain, PA 18901, and on Friday from 9:00 to 9:45AM at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 235 E. State St., Doylestown, PA 18901 with her Funeral Mass, at precisely 10:00AM. Her interment will follow in St. John Neumann Cemetery, Chalfont.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Project H.O.M.E., 1515 Fairmount Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19130.