Mabel Marie Parker died on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011, at Carol Woods Retirement Community in Chapel Hill, N.C., surrounded by loving friends.

She was 93.  She was born in Cass County to the late Elizabeth Hadden Parker and Leo Parker. Following graduation from Dowagiac Central High School, she received a baccalaureate degree from Western Michigan University, a graduate degree at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and a professional degree in physical therapy at Duke University in 1957.

Mabel specialized in treating patients with poliomyelitis, which was prevalent at the time.

She practiced at Warm Springs, Ga., Variety Children’s Hospital in Miami and in private practice in Orlando.

She joined the faculty of the Division of Physical Therapy at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and UNC Hospitals in 1959, where she found great joy in teaching; she retired as Professor Emeritus in 1979.

She was a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and recipient of several awards, including the prestigious Lucy Blair Award from the American Physical Therapy Association in 1982.

She authored several publications concerning clinical education.

Her love of sports began early. Mabel was state tennis champion of Michigan during her high school years and continued to play tennis for many years.

She enjoyed golf and fishing, especially at Topsail Beach, where she shared a sound-front home.

She was a gifted hostess and cook and welcomed many guests wherever she lived.

Mabel remained an avid sports observer and was a great fan of UNC teams. She was an ardent bridge player up until the last few weeks of her life. Mabel was respected for her quiet loyalty and dependability and was a steadfast friend.

She is survived by her dear friend and colleague, Margaret L. Moore of Carol Woods; and three siblings, a sister, Marion Parker of Roxboro, N.C., and brothers Joe Parker of Irving, Texas, and Claude Parker of Zeeland.

She also leaves three nephews, Thom (Beth) Parker of New Zeeland, Mich., Roy Parker of Delray Beach, Fla., and Lee (Nita) Parker of Irving; one grandniece, Julie Miller of Aurora, Colo.; and a great-grandniece and nephew.

A celebration of Mabel’s life with family and friends will be held at 2 p.m. on Feb. 5 at Carol Woods.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Mabel Parker Scholarship Fund at the UNC-Chapel Hill Division of Physical Therapy, UNC School of Medicine, Campus Box  7135, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7135.

Ashes will be interred in the Parker family plot in Dailey, Mich.

Arrangements by Walker Funeral Home, Chapel Hill, N.C.