Barbara Jean Abbott 85 loving wife mother and grandmother passed away on Thursday August 27 2009 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. A Funeral Mass is scheduled for Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church with Father Fred Nawarskas officiating. A private family interment will be in Elmwood Memorial Park under the direction of North's Funeral Home. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. with Rosary and prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at North's Memorial Chapel 242 Orange Street. Barbara was born in Des Moines Iowa on February 3 1924 to Bryan Paul and Nell Winterrowd. She married Walter Louis Abbott on February 3 1945 in Clovis NM. She was preceded in death by her husband Lt. Col. Walter Louis Abbott her sons William "Bill" Patrick Abbott and Steven Douglas Abbott and sister and brother-in-law Marilyn and Gregory Lippold. Survivors include: (sons) Walter Lewis Abbott of Springtown TX; G. Gregory Abbott and wife Tina of Richardson TX; John R. Abbott of Abilene TX; Eric J. Abbott and wife Kimberly of Dallas TX; (daughters) Judith L. Bonham and husband Bob of Austin TX; Christina M. Glasgow and husband Leonard of Buffalo Gap TX; Mary M. Milstead and husband Bill of Abilene TX; (daughter-in-law) Cheryl E. Abbott of Kennedale TX 22 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Barbara's greatest joy and source of pride were the accomplishments of her husband during his military career and the many and varied activities of her children and grandchildren. She loved family gatherings and had an amazing ability to remember details of each child's accomplishments making them feel particularly special. She embraced her Roman Catholic faith and was a long-time member of Holy Family Catholic Church as well as a daily mass attendee until recently. Barbara was a proud American and an avid Texas Ranger fan. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society (1241 Walnut Abilene TX 79601) or the building fund for Holy Family Catholic Church (5410 Buffalo Gap Rd Abilene TX 79606). The family wishes to thank Dr. David Randell Dr. Ralph Heaven Dr. Sandip Mauther Dr. Glen Einspainer and nursing staff at Abilene Regional Medical Center for their loving attention to Barbara and her family. Online condolences may be sent to www.northsfuneralhome.com