Elizabeth J. Abate

Elizabeth J. (Lefebvre) Abate, a resident of Methuen, MA and formerly Lawrence, MA, died peacefully in the early morning hours of March 20th, 2024 at Nevins Nursing Home, Methuen, MA. She was the wife of the late Laurence R. Abate, with whom she shared 40 years of marriage before his death in 1986.
Mom was born in Nashua, NH on April 25, 1925, the third of five children of George and Bertha (Guptill) Lefebvre. She was a graduate of Nashua High School, Class of 1943. She died at age 98 years and 11 months old and lived an exceptionally long and relatively healthy life.
Mom will be remembered for her love of lemon squares and lemon donuts. She lovingly knitted and crocheted countless afghans and scarves for members of her family. She also made patchwork quilts which will be treasured. Mom was also a talented seamstress, and she made her daughter Ann's wedding gown, which she wore with pride.
Mom was a very caring, loving person who always gave big hugs to those she loved. Her absolute favorite thing to do was to call each of her children multiple times each day to see how they were doing and check to see who would be visiting.
She loved to play bingo, Michigan Rummy, do crosswords, word searches, and 500-piece puzzles, especially the puzzles that we had custom made for her. She also loved to scratch lottery tickets, hoping to win the big prize so she could share her winnings with her family members. Mom also became a fan of Keno in her later years.
She was employed by Grieco Bros. as a piecework stitcher for many years and had a part in creating specialty suits for numerous celebrities. She retired in 1987 and enjoyed the 37 years that followed her retirement.
She will be dearly missed by her loving and devoted children: Louis and his wife, Linda of Nashua, NH, Gary and his wife, Marilyn of Windham, NH, Ann and her husband, Keith Sharpe of Sandown, NH, and Paul and his partner, Joyce Johnson of Exeter, NH.
Mom also leaves seven grandchildren: Dianne Abate, Darci Harrison and her husband David, Dori Abate, Craig Sharpe and his wife, Daniele, Mandi Abate Little and her husband Harold, Allison Gibson and her husband Stephen, and Alicia Licata and her husband Mike.
She leaves 10 great-grandchildren: Conor and Amy McLaughlin, Elizabeth and Henry Harrison; Colton and Gavin Roach; Madison and Colby Sharpe; Gianna and Syler Gibson. She also leaves many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Elizabeth was predeceased by her husband, Laurence (Larry), who died in 1986, son, Thomas (Tommy) who died in 1992, her siblings, George Lefebvre, Nellie Philbrook, Pauline Cote, and Beverly Smith, and a great-great-granddaughter, Bedelia, who was born an Angel.
Mom's family would like to extend a heartfelt "thank you" to those who cared for her for more than four years at Nevins Nursing Home. They were her loving, second family and took wonderful care of her.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, April 5, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30am. at the Carrier Family Funeral Home, 38 Range Road, Windham, NH 03087. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:30am at the funeral home. Burial will follow at the Bellevue Cemetery, Lawrence, MA.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mom's memory that will be most appreciated may be sent to the Nevins Nursing Home, 10 Ingalls Court, Methuen, MA 01844.
To make a donation in Elizabeth Abate's memory, please contact Bonnie Hedrick for more information at 978-682-7611 or bherrick@hcnevins.org.
To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.carrierfuneralhome.com.