Margaret (pierce) Kabot

Margaret (Pierce) Kabot, 88, of East Hartford, loving wife of 47 years to the late John Kabot, peacefully passed away on Friday (November 13, 2009) with family members by her side. Born on Dec. 12, 1920 on a farm in rural Windsor, ME, a daughter of the late L. Frank and Alice (McCurdy) Pierce, Margaret lived with an extended group of relatives including her father. She learned to get by with what was at hand. She felled her first bull moose when hunting alone at age 13, and was an excellent archer. Margaret left the farm she loved so much and came to Connecticut to work at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft during the early 1940's seeking financial stability for herself and her daughter. During this period she learned to fly and joined the Civil Air Patrol. She went back to Maine to care for her father but eventually returned to Pratt & Whitney where she met and married John Kabot. Thus began the most conventional phase of Margaret's life, raising two more daughters. She became the Sunday school teacher, Girl Scout leader, and chocolate chip cookie baker. She made her girls' clothes and together with John grew all of the family's vegetables in their large garden. In 1968 she obtained her GED and returned to college. In 1972 she graduated from Eastern Connecticut State College with a BA degree in elementary education. After a brief stint of teaching, she returned to Pratt & Whitney, where she would retire from after over thirty years of combined service. Margaret's first back to work purchase was a full size Yamaha motorcycle. She never drove a conventional auto again, preferring instead large vans and most recently her pick-up truck. In 1989 she built a second home on her family land in Windsor, ME. In the 1990's she began to write poems, and many were published in the local paper in Maine. She became an avid crafter. She became active in the Senior Centers in East Hartford where she formed many lasting friendships. Margaret possessed a wealth of practical knowledge. Her 'farmer mentality', independent spirit, and love of life will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Along with her beloved husband and parents, she was predeceased by a son-in-law, Gerald Russell; a grandson, Kirk Russell; and a brother, Edward Sullivan. Margaret leaves behind three caring daughters, Gloria Russell of Windsor, ME, Janalyn Davis and her husband, Daniel, of Portland, Kimberly Kunze and her husband, William, of Hamden; a sister, Gladys Seigel of Palmer, MA; eight special grandchildren, Kevin Russell of Windsor, ME, Daniel Kunze and Kristin Kunze both of Hamden, Barney Davis, Hailey Davis, Harrison Davis, Henry Davis, and Georgia Davis all of Portland; four great-grandchildren; two great, great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be Sunday, Nov. 22, at 4 p.m. at the D'Esopo-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home chapel on Sunday afternoon from 2-4 p.m. Private burial will be held at the convenience of the family in Windsor, ME. Memorial contributions in Margaret's memory may be made to the Connecticut Humane Society, 701 Russell Road, Newington, CT 06111. For any on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.