BREWER – Joan (Kiah) Abbott, 85, passed away peacefully January 10, 2016, surrounded by her family. Joan was born in Brewer July 22, 1930, the daughter of John Forest Kiah and Thora (Burnett) Kiah.
She was brought up in Brewer and graduated from Brewer High School in 1948. She continued working at the New England Telephone Company after graduation. She then met and married James Patrick Abbott in July 1951. They started their family and went on to have four children. Joan continued to work at the phone company, then for a short time she also worked at Eastern Fine Paper in Brewer. In the mid 1960’s, Joan returned to the telephone company and she and Rusty went their own routes in life. Joan took classes and moved up to the engineering side of AT & T. She advanced to become an Estimate Assigner and held that title and position until she retired in 1985 at 55 years old. She worked hard and long hours so her family could have many life benefits that most don’t have. She enjoyed downhill skiing, traveling and took trips to England, Ireland and Scotland. She wintered in Mesa, AZ for several years and then moved back to Maine and wintered in Florida where she was close to her sister, Ann, and her favorite brother-in-law, Joe Tremble. Joan was a great mother and great friend to many. Her two best friends and travel companions predeceased her, Anna Watkins and Charlotte Cross. She truly missed them. When Joan’s children were growing up, the Abbott’s house was everyone’s second home. Until she sold the family home in 2003, her children’s friends from high school were still dropping in to see her to have a cup of coffee or tea.
Joan is survived by her children, Thomas J. Abbott of Veazie, Ann Marie Abbott of Westbrook, and Patricia (Abbott) Swan, and her husband, Stephen Swan of Windham; her favorite cousins Lois Elliott Harmon and Terras Franks Corbett. She is predeceased by her ex-husband, James P. Abbott on 1995, her only sister, Ann Tremble in 2012 and her daughter, Kathleen Abbott in 1998. Joan loved animals as well as grand pups, Daisy and Shamus. The family would like to thank Hospice of Eastern Maine, Eastern Maine Home Care, nurses Donna and Debbie, CNAs Connie, Cheryl, Jen, Kim, and Kate, her social workers and hospice chaplain, Carl Bergman for his strength and undying friendship to our mother, and volunteer, Chris Partridge. Thanks also to Joan’s PCP, Dr. Sufana Alkhunaizi and her NP Corrine. Most of all thank you to Nancy MacDonald, Joan’s special niece, who has been an extraordinary help for the past two years. She not only looked out for Aunt Joan, but also came without being asked.
Relatives and friends are welcome to call 5 to 7pm Monday January 18, 2016 at the Brewer Chapel of Brookings-Smith, 55 South Main Street, Brewer where a celebration of her life will be held 10am Tuesday January 19, 2016 with the Rev. Carl Bergman officiating. Interment will be for the family only at Mount Hope Cemetery, Bangor at a later date. Those who wish to remember Joan in a special way may make gifts in her memory to the Bangor Humane Society, 693 Mount Hope Avenue, Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.
She was brought up in Brewer and graduated from Brewer High School in 1948. She continued working at the New England Telephone Company after graduation. She then met and married James Patrick Abbott in July 1951. They started their family and went on to have four children. Joan continued to work at the phone company, then for a short time she also worked at Eastern Fine Paper in Brewer. In the mid 1960’s, Joan returned to the telephone company and she and Rusty went their own routes in life. Joan took classes and moved up to the engineering side of AT & T. She advanced to become an Estimate Assigner and held that title and position until she retired in 1985 at 55 years old. She worked hard and long hours so her family could have many life benefits that most don’t have. She enjoyed downhill skiing, traveling and took trips to England, Ireland and Scotland. She wintered in Mesa, AZ for several years and then moved back to Maine and wintered in Florida where she was close to her sister, Ann, and her favorite brother-in-law, Joe Tremble. Joan was a great mother and great friend to many. Her two best friends and travel companions predeceased her, Anna Watkins and Charlotte Cross. She truly missed them. When Joan’s children were growing up, the Abbott’s house was everyone’s second home. Until she sold the family home in 2003, her children’s friends from high school were still dropping in to see her to have a cup of coffee or tea.
Joan is survived by her children, Thomas J. Abbott of Veazie, Ann Marie Abbott of Westbrook, and Patricia (Abbott) Swan, and her husband, Stephen Swan of Windham; her favorite cousins Lois Elliott Harmon and Terras Franks Corbett. She is predeceased by her ex-husband, James P. Abbott on 1995, her only sister, Ann Tremble in 2012 and her daughter, Kathleen Abbott in 1998. Joan loved animals as well as grand pups, Daisy and Shamus. The family would like to thank Hospice of Eastern Maine, Eastern Maine Home Care, nurses Donna and Debbie, CNAs Connie, Cheryl, Jen, Kim, and Kate, her social workers and hospice chaplain, Carl Bergman for his strength and undying friendship to our mother, and volunteer, Chris Partridge. Thanks also to Joan’s PCP, Dr. Sufana Alkhunaizi and her NP Corrine. Most of all thank you to Nancy MacDonald, Joan’s special niece, who has been an extraordinary help for the past two years. She not only looked out for Aunt Joan, but also came without being asked.
Relatives and friends are welcome to call 5 to 7pm Monday January 18, 2016 at the Brewer Chapel of Brookings-Smith, 55 South Main Street, Brewer where a celebration of her life will be held 10am Tuesday January 19, 2016 with the Rev. Carl Bergman officiating. Interment will be for the family only at Mount Hope Cemetery, Bangor at a later date. Those who wish to remember Joan in a special way may make gifts in her memory to the Bangor Humane Society, 693 Mount Hope Avenue, Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.
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