Abbie was born in Gallup, New Mexico, where she lived with her father, Santiago Gutierrez, and stepmother Annie.
In 1960, she married the love of her life, Leo Turnage, who brought her into the exciting world of the military. With every sudden change that came her way as a military wife, she carried with her an unwavering peace and happily embraced each move in true Abbie spirit. Abbie and Leo spent 49 loving years together filled with many adventures, all while raising their two beautiful children, David and Teresa.
The best years of Abbie's life came when she took on the title of "Memaw" to her five grandchildren and three great grandchildren, whom she showered with endless love and devotion.
Abbie took pride in her cooking and baking and found so much joy in creating grand Sunday meals for her family. Most weeks everyone went home with plenty of leftovers and her special homemade hot sauce. She always looked forward to the holidays because it meant baking special cookies and treats for her family and friends to enjoy. To Abbie, her most important job was loving and caring for her husband, children and grandchildren and she undoubtedly did so with a kind and gentle spirit all the days of her life.