Virginia Abbott

1927 - 2014

Virginia Mae Abbott
Jul 21, 1927 - Jul 22, 2014
Virginia Abbott passed away on Tuesday July 22, 2014, one day after her 87th birthday. She was born on July 21, 1927, Virginia Mae Smith, in McCook, Nebraska to Marion and Bess (Barnes) Smith. She was the oldest of sister Joan, and brother, Gary. She graduated from McCook High School in 1945, where she attended McCook Junior College for one year. She moved with her mother to Oakland, and then Berkeley, where she commuted to work in San Francisco. She moved to Modesto in 1948 and got a job at the Modesto main branch of the Bank of America. Here she met Floyd "Ab" Abbott. Six months later they married in Carmel on November 10, 1949. They had two children, a son, Greg and a daughter, Jill. Virginia was very involved in her children's lives and enjoyed annual summer vacations at the beach or in the mountains with family or friends. Christmas holidays were always spent with Virginia's "Mom" and Harold, and sister Joan's and brother Gary's families, with endless card games and lots of laughter. Virginia was part of a Round Robin of letters that were continually passed amongst high school friends for close to sixty years. She also joined the Alpha Omega Sorority and continued a member, lasting over sixty years. Lifelong friendships developed with sorority sisters and their spouses. Besides serving as a club officer many times, there were annual fundraisers and sorority parties. Virginia also loved to play bridge and was in more than one bridge club. As her children grew, Virginia began working part time for Stockton and Schrimp law firm as a secretary, which she enjoyed for 23 years. She then did part time bookkeeping before retiring in her early 70's. After Ab retired, together they enjoyed many trips with friends to Hawaii, one of her favorite places. They also traveled to China, New Zealand and Australia, and throughout the U.S., with brother Gary and wife Jan, developing new friendships. Virginia "Virgie" "Ginnie" will be remembered by the adoration of her husband, Ab, and by her gracious kind spirit, sharp intellect and for her appreciation of humor and her love of children. Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, Marion Smith, and Bess Kidwell, sister Joan and brother Gary, and by her husband, Ab who passed away September 18, 2010, after more than sixty years of marriage. She is survived by son Greg (Michal O'Callaghan) of Hailey, Idaho, daughter Jill (Rodger Stoltzfus) of Bozeman, Montana; grandsons Derek Abbott of Portland, Oregon and Keven Abbott of Flagstaff, Arizona, and granddaughter, Audrey Stoltzfus of Bozeman, Montana, and loving nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be Tuesday July 29, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 850 16th St., Modesto. Donations may be made in Virginia's name to First United Methodist Church, to a Parkinson's Disease non-profit or charity of choice.
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