Barbara Jean Abel

Oakdale - Barbara Jean (Orr) Abel of Oakdale, 76, died unexpectedly at home on July 2, 2024. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.

Barbara was born on October 7, 1947 in Flushing, Queens, NY to the late Edith and Charles Orr and spent her early childhood in East Elmhurst, until moving to the Centerport/Greenlawn area in 1956. A 1965 graduate of Harborfields High School, she went on to earn an associate's degree in psychology from Three Rivers Community College in 1993. As the wife of a Coast Guard serviceman, she lived in various places, including Northport, NY; Petersburg & Sitka, AK; Fairview Heights, IL; and Governors Island, NY; before eventually settling in Oakdale, CT. One of Barbara's fondest memories was living at the Montauk, NY, lighthouse during the early years of her ex-husband's Coast Guard service. For over 20 years, she served as a medical records assistant at Eastern Connecticut Hematology and Oncology. Barbara was an enthusiastic reader who visited Raymond Library weekly, feeding her love for reading with three novels every week. She also looked forward to her trip to Goose Rocks Beach, ME, each year with her cousins and sister.

She is survived by three sons (whom she shared with her ex-husband, Frank Abel III of Waldoboro, ME): Frank Abel IV and his wife, Jeni, of Deep River, CT; Charles Abel and his former partner, Angela Apicelli, of East Hardwick, VT; and Christopher Abel and his wife, Lisa, of Farmington, CT. Her granddaughters, Reese & Reagan, Senna & Rhea, and Marin & Norah adored their "Nana B" and were her pride and joy. She also leaves behind her siblings Charles Orr (Betty) of Uncasville, CT; Margaret Franko (Mark) of Greenlawn, NY; Christopher Orr (Jody) of Bakersfield, CA; as well as many loving cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, July 22 at Woyasz & Son Funeral Home, 11 Jerome Rd., Uncasville. A brief service will be held at 6:30pm. In keeping with her wishes, the family will scatter her ashes in places that were dear to her heart at a later date.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Raymond Library, 832 Raymond Hill Rd., Oakdale, CT 06370.