Betty Jane Abbey, 73, of Fife Lake, died at her home on the Manistee River Tue, Dec 10, 1996, after a sudden illness.
She died surrounded by her family and many of the friends she loved so dearly.
Betty was born to John and Leona Barnes on Oct 11, 1923, in Tekonsha, MI.
After graduation from Marshall High School she married Robert Lester Abbey of Hastings.
Betty and Bob lived in Hastings where she was director of the Barry County Medical Care Facility until 1970; in 1970, the moved to Traverse City and opened "The Abbey." Betty and Bob retired in 1975 to the Manistee River and their home in the Florida Keys.
She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Robert Lester Abbey; also surviving are sons Robert Lewis (Dolly Luft) Abbey of Traverse City, and Rick Lewis (Nancy) Abbey of Eugene, OR; daughter Bonnie Joan (John) Swan of Fairbanks, AK; five grandchildren; two great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and sisters Agnes Holt and Virginia Sanders, both of Marshall, and Dorothy Kalmbach of Albion.
Betty was preceded in death by her mother and father, as well as an infant daughter, Suzanne Abbey.
Betty will always be remembered as a lovign and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. To many, Betty will always be that special friend, who always knew how to make you laugh, cook that special meal and how to grow the prettiest flowers on the Manistee River.
Services were held Dec 14 at the Traverse City Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes, State Street, Traverse City. The Rev. Phillip Noordmans and Mr. Fred Weber officiated.
It is Betty and Bob's wish for memorial gifts to be made to the North Country Hospice of Kalkaska, because of the comfort they provided to both her and the family.
