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Jane “Jeffie” Abbott (Nee Pettus) died peacefully on December 23, 2025 at Dunwoody Village in Newtown Square, PA. She was 83. Born March 12,1942, Jeffie was the daughter of C. Hamlet and Jane Pettus (nee Pierpoint) and younger sister of Robert. She was a member of the first graduating class of Harriton High School and was later graduated from Randolph-Macon Women’s College, where she formed many of her early friendships and interests, especially travel. Jeffie and Paul Abbott met at Keystone Cement, where they both worked. The two had a long and genuinely happy marriage. They enjoyed each other’s company traveling, at the bridge table, hosting myriad social events, and especially with Elizabeth and Ross at Westwood Bay on Lake Winnipesaukee, NH, their “little piece of Heaven.” She spent more than 40 years working at John Fish & Son in Bryn Mawr, PA, where she was counted on for her reliability, candor, and strong work ethic. Those traits were integral to the other parts of her life as well, be it her active life at St. Christopher’s Church in Gladwyne, PA (a community she was part of for 75 years) or in P.E.O., where she and many friends were committed to its support of women's education. Her travel brought her into contact with several international organizations and enabled her to meet, welcome, and even house visitors from around the world. She loved experiencing other cultures and often warned her visitors “not to invite her unless they meant it—because she just might show up!” She often did. Her travels took her to Turkey, Russia, South Korea, Colombia, Malawi, Europe, and many other wonderful locations off the beaten path. Jeffie also loved writing notes and giving gifts. She prided herself on finding something thoughtful for all the people in her life. She counted herself fortunate to have made so many lifelong friends, both locally and abroad. She was also never far from flowers, birds, or one of the many cookbooks that helped her become a marvelous from-scratch baker. Jeffie was preceded in death by husband Paul and by her brother, Robert Pettus. She is survived by her daughter Elizabeth Abbott Wright (Paul), her son Ross Abbott (Michele), and the five grandchildren she loved and who loved her too—Cole (Lilly), Rachel, Abigail, Elise, and Caroline. She will be remembered as a loyal friend, a tireless grammarian, and as a steady presence to the people around her. She was happy to let you know that “she was an optimist” and “not a worrier,” even in her final days. Her family invites you to a memorial service at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 226 Righter’s Mill Road, Gladwyne, PA 19035 on January 31st at 11 am. The family also encourages attendees to wear cheerful colors and to bring a favorite memory. Donations can be made in Jeffie’s name to The Paul Abbott Fund, ℅ St Christopher’s Church. Interment will be private.

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Jane "Jeffie" Abbott

March 12, 1942 - December 23, 2025