HARRIETTE (RILEY) ABBOTT
Harriette (Riley) Abbott, 90, of Duxbury, formerly of Wellesley and Sherborn, died on November 5, 2011.
Born on January 26, 1921 in Weston, Harriette was the daughter of the late Mary (Gay) Riley and Frank B. Riley.
She grew up in Weston and married Edward L. Abbott in 1943. While her husband served in World War II, she worked at the W.H. Nichols Company in Waltham.
Upon Edward's return, the couple moved to Wellesley, and started a family. It was at this time, Mrs. Abbott joined the Wellesley Junior Service League, and a lifetime of volunteering began. She was active as a room mother and brownie leader. In the early 60's, she got her private pilots license and became a member of the AOPA. She was a member of the Doric Dames, and was a volunteer at the New England Aquarium, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Wellesley College Clothing Exchange.
In 1968, the family moved to Sherborn. Noting a lack of a garden club in the town, Mrs. Abbott joined with several friends and founded the Sherborn Garden Club. For many years, she was a member of the Wellesley Park Assembly of God Church, and the Christian Women's Club of Weston. After living in Sherborn for over thirty years, the couple moved to the Village at Duxbury, where Mrs. Abbott became involved in many activities. She served as president of the Resident's Association, and was instrumental in setting up a driving service, matching residents who needed rides to appointments with residents to drive them.
Mrs. Abbott was an avid birder and gardener, and enjoyed long driving trips all around the country with her husband.
Her passion and greatest love was her family.
Mrs. Abbott leaves two daughters, Betsy MacKenzie of Wethersfield, CT, and Amy McWilliams and her husband, Michael of Duxbury; one son, Edward L. Abbott Jr., and his wife, Penelope, of Shadow Hills, CA; seven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. She also leaves her sister, Gertrude, of Peabody. She was predeceased by her older sister, Frances.
Donations in Mrs. Abbott's name can be made to Cranberry Hospice, 36 Cordage Park Cir., Suite 326, Plymouth, MA 02360 or the Alzheimer’s Association of Massachusetts, 311 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472.
A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011 at 10:00 o’clock at the First Baptist Church, 657 Boston Post Rd, Weston followed by a reception in the church vestry.
Burial will be in the Abbott family lot in Linwood Cemetery in Weston. Arrangements entrusted to the care of the John C. Bryant Funeral Home of Wayland. For on-line condolences please visit www.johncbryantfuneralhome.com.