Gale ABBOTT

ABBOTT, Gale, 85, of Midlothian, passed away peacefully on September 30, 2009, after a long illness. Gale was born in Providence, R.I., to Eugene and Elsie Abbott, but spent her youth and much of her adult life on Long Island, N.Y., with some years in Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Basking Ridge, N.J., before moving to Virginia. Gale is survived by her husband of 61 years, Donald C. Abbott; her children, Donna Livesay and her husband, Woody, of Richmond, Paul Abbott and his wife, Donna, of Basking Ridge, N.J., and Douglas Abbott and his wife, Vanessa, of Washington, D.C.; seven grandchildren, two great-granddaughters; and a brother, William Abbott of Greenbrook, N.J. She was preceded in death by her brother, Douglas. Gale was a 1946 graduate of Westhampton College, University of Richmond, where she majored in Math and Biology and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. She was also a member of the field hockey team. Following graduation, Gale was employed by Equitable Life in New York City for four years before leaving a promising career to be a full-time homemaker. Over the years, Gale, an accomplished pianist, played piano for Sunday school as well as teaching classes and was active in Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and other volunteer activities. She was known for her skill with her knitting needles and sewing machines. There are still labels around saying "Handmade by Mims", her in-family nickname. "Mims" spent her life devoted to family and friends and her faith was an inspiration to all who knew her. The family wants to thank the people at Southerland Place and AseraCare Hospice for their care and kindness. A burial will be held at Greenwood Memorial Gardens. A memorial service will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday at Huguenot Road Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Huguenot Road Baptist Church, 10525 W. Huguenot Road, Richmond, Va. 23235.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.