Jacqueline A. Abbott, 81, of 435 Greylock Street in Lee entered into eternal life Monday at Bay State Medical Center surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Holyoke, MA August 4, 1933, the daughter of the late Albert H. and Germaine L. Dominque Chauvin. She was educated at the Holyoke Schools and was a 1950 graduate of Sacred Heart High School. At the age of 13 she was the organist at Holy Family Church in Holyoke and taught private piano lessons then and throughout her life. After graduation she continued her musical education under private instruction and also attended the Tanglewood Institute. She married the love of her life, Donald H. Abbott, on September 7, 1953. They had celebrated 54 years of marriage when he passed on September 29, 2012. In 1954, she and Donald moved to Lee where she taught private music lessons and was music teacher at St. Mary's School until 1988. She also taught music at the former Bellefontaine Seminary, Valley Head School and produced countless musicals and plays throughout the Berkshires. Also in 1954 she became Organist and Choir Director at St. Mary's Church retiring in 1984 after 30 years due to illness. She was a communicant of St. Mary's Church and a devoted member of its Adoration Society. She was also a member of the former St. Mary- Martha Sodality. She and her husband owned and operated Abbott's Limousine & Livery Service since 1965. In her later years she fulfilled her greatest job of Prayer Warrior. She prayed several chaplets and rosaries daily. She is survived by one son, Paul E. Abbott and his wife Laura of Lee, Five daughters, Donna M. Abbott of Lee, Kathleen A. Frieri and her husband Leon of Pittsfield, Margaret B. Abbott of Orlando, Florida, Maryellen Walsh and her husband Michael of Lee, Rebecca S. Dean and her husband Scott of Pittsfield. One brother, Daniel E. Chauvin of Phoenix, Arizona and her sister in law, Susan Chauvin of St. Petersburg, Florida. Seven grandchildren: Jessica, Rebecca, Nicholas, Renee, Ethan, Brendan and Adam. Five great grandchildren: Stephen, Brandon, Shyla, Isaiah, and Lucie. She also leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends. She was predeceased by her brother Robert Chauvin, December 26, 2011. Funeral services will be held on Monday December 29 at 10:15 beginning at The Kelly Funeral Home with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Church in Lee. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday from 2-4 p.m. at The Kelly Funeral Home in Lee. Friends wishing to can make donations in her memory to St. Mary's School in care of The Kelly Funeral Home 3 Main Street, Lee, MA 01238.

Visitation Details

Sunday, December 28th, 2014 2:00pm - 4:00pm, Kelly Funeral Home

Service Details

Monday, December 29th, 2014 11:00am, St. Mary's Church

Interment Details

St. Mary's Cemetery