Kathy Jo "Kj" Gibson Abbott

Kathy Jo Abbott passed away on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at 8:15am at her home with her loving husband, John, by her side.
Kathy was born in Wyoming, IL on December 6, 1951. She then moved to Peoria Heights in 1961. She went to Kelly Avenue Grade School and graduated from Richwoods High School.
Kathy was a beautician for 10 years before becoming employed by the Illinois Department of Transportation as an Engineering Technician. She then was a Consulting Engineer on highway construction projects in the Peoria area until retiring in 1999.
Volunteering became a focus for Kathy. She loved working with people as a volunteer with the Ladies Auxiliary at Proctor Hospital, also known as a "Pink Lady," for 20 years. She served in the all the Auxiliary offices as well as President for 2 years. She volunteered with Sojourn Bears Cancer Organization for 25 years, providing bears to cancer patients.
Kathy enjoyed playing pool, embroidery, making stained glass and spending time with her family and friends. Her Yorkie pups, Rocky, Abbe and Augee kept her quite active. Kathy and John married late in their careers and enjoyed many vacations prior to retirement when health problems made it difficult to travel.
Surviving are Kathy's husband, John, her sister Becky (James) Kelton, her brother Braderick Gibson, many nieces, nephews, cousins and aunts. She was preceded in death by her father, Virgil Keith Gibson, her mother, Ruth Elizabeth Gibson and her beloved Yorkies.
Visitation for Kathy will be held on Monday, September 30, 2024, from 5pm to 7pm at Weber-Hurd Funeral Home in Chillicothe. A graveside services will on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at 10:30am at Chillicothe City Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held at later date next summer. Memorials in her name may be made to the favorite charity of the donor's choice.