Jan Linn Abbott

October 4, 1938 - July 29, 2025

Jan was born in the home of one of her many aunts, in Richmond, Indiana on October 4, 1938. She was the daughter of Vernon "Bud" Freeman and Thelma Ellington Freeman; granddaughter to Charles "Hammy" and Blanch Kuhn Freeman, and Maude and Henry Ellington.

She received a full scholarship and her undergraduate degree from Ball State Teacher's College. Several years later, she received a graduate degree from Ball State University.

She was a teacher at Wernle Children's Home in Richmond for several years before a career as a paralegal in Indianapolis.

She is preceded in death by her husband John Abbott of Richardson, Texas, her husband of 21 years. Her sister, Glora Anderson, with whom she was very close, passed in 2017.

She is survived by her three sons: Mark (Maria), Todd (Ellen), and Patrick (Maria); her grandchildren: Drew (Annelise), Megan (Nicholas), Katelyn (Taylor), Emily, Quinn (Kerry), Alex, Danny, and Gordy.

Jan was a voracious reader of practically every genre and had a large library. She had a special interest in History and spoke of it often. The last book she completed reading was, "1776," by historian David McCollough. She loved a long line of cats over the years including: Abbey, Andy, Smoky, and Chet. She even taught one of her cats to retrieve like a dog(!) She loved the Cubs, Colts, IU basketball, and Pacers.

She volunteered for many years as a quilter and sent dozens and dozens of quilts out to needy families.

She loved Indiana, especially her beloved hometown of Hagerstown, missed it when she wasn't there, and kept in touch with a great many of her high school classmates.

She traveled the world later in life with John, going by land, sea and air to countless countries and landmarks.

Upon moving back to Indianapolis in 2016, she attended St. Luke's Methodist Church, often "herding" the other ladies and gentlemen into the Sunday morning van that took them to St. Luke's each week.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 20th at 1 p.m. at St. Luke's Methodist Church, 100 West 86th Street, Indianapolis.

Final resting place will be West Lawn Cemetery, 500 North Maple Street, Hagerstown.