Dolores Jean Abbott

Gainesville, Florida – Dolores Jean Abbott, 88, passed away peacefully on March 8 at Haven Hospice in Gainesville, Florida, with her family at her side. Dolores, who was affectionately called “Dee” by her friends, was born on March 28, 1935, in Toluca, Illinois. She was the daughter of Louis and Agnes Fenoglia, the third of their four children, including older brothers John, Jim, and younger sister, Judy. A popular student, she graduated in 1953 from Toluca High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society and the varsity cheerleading squad. After high school, Dolores worked at the Toluca Garment Factory and then for Clanin Brothers Wholesalers from 1954-1958 as a bookkeeper. During this time, she married Dr. Angelo V. Abbott of Streator, Illinois. The two met on a double date shortly after Dr. Abbott returned to the area after serving in the Korean War. They were wed at St. Ann’s Church in Toluca on April 7, 1956, during a spring snowstorm and drove to Niagara Falls for their honeymoon. Dolores and Angelo had their only child, John, in 1958. She stayed home to raise her son and then resumed her career in 1966 at Wabash Valley College in Mt. Carmel, Illinois, where she served as secretary for the Office of Admissions and Records. She entered the insurance industry in 1974 when she joined Prudential Insurance Co. in Gainesville, Florida, as executive secretary. While in Gainesville, she also worked at the Veterans Service Office as a file clerk, at Regional Transit System as fiscal assistant responsible for the preparation and processing of all purchase orders, and Watson Realty as secretarial/accounting clerk for the Property Management Dept. When the family moved to Ft. Myers, Florida, she continued her career in real estate working as office manager at Claude Allen Realty. During this time, she began studying for her real estate license. Throughout her life, she attended various colleges and universities for personal enrichment and business studies, including Wabash Valley College in Mt. Carmel, Illinois, Illinois Central College in Peoria, Illinois, Hibbing Community College in Hibbing, Minnesota, and Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville, Florida. Dolores and Angelo moved frequently during the 1960s and 1970s as Dr. Abbott’s career in education progressed, but at each new location Dolores took an active part in the community. She participated in church activities in Catholic parishes they belonged to, was chairperson of neighborhood crime watches, and volunteered in libraries and hospitals. She also took part in United Way, the PTA, Welcome Wagon, and the annual Santa Fe Community College Spring Arts Festival. A voracious reader, Dolores loved mysteries, crime thrillers, and biographies. One of her favorite pastimes was working on New York Times crossword puzzles. She followed current events and spoke knowledgeably about politics, sports, and daily headlines. She was also an accomplished needlepoint artist and gardener, belonged to several bowling leagues, and loved traveling to visit family and friends. Kindness and generosity were the cornerstones of her life, but it was her devotion and love for her family that gave her the most joy. “Dee” loved to cook, and every Sunday family and friends would gather for her delicious pasta dinners. She was a gracious host who frequently welcomed visitors to her house, as well as a good neighbor. When Dr. Abbott retired, the family moved to Gainesville so they could be close to their granddaughter, Haidee, whom Dolores loved to spend time with, especially baking cookies together every Christmas. Dolores’ husband, Angelo, died the morning after Dolores passed away. She is survived by her son, John (Alison), Petaluma, California, her granddaughter, Haidee (Matt) Brannan, her great-granddaughter, Riley, and great-grandson, Colton (Gainesville, Florida). She is also survived by her sister, Judy Kamp (Gene), Lakeview, Arkansas, her niece, Kathy Webster (Ralph), and nephews Jay (Kelly) Fenoglia, and Jerry (Tracy) Fenoglia, all of Lacon, Illinois. She was preceded in death by her parents, her two older brothers, John and Jim, and one nephew (Kevin Kamp). A memorial service was held on Wednesday, March 27, at Forest Meadows Cemetery in Gainesville, Florida. Cremation and other arrangements were managed under the care and direction of Forest Meadows Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Haven Hospice in Gainesville, Florida.

Dolores Jean Abbott

March 28, 1935 - March 8, 2024