Candace Marie Abel

Candace “Candy” Marie Abel, MSW, 66, of Charlottesville, VA passed peacefully on Sunday, May 24, 2015 at home surrounded by her husband and children. Candy was born on October 27, 1948 in New York and spent her childhood in Danbury, Connecticut. She earned a degree in Psychology from Quinnipiac College and her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Maryland. Candy’s early career was spent helping psychiatric patients in a hospital setting. She later conducted assertiveness training as a consultant and spent the latter part of her career working in special education at the high school level. Candy loved her students, who affectionately called her “Lady”, and she especially enjoyed chaperoning class trips abroad. An avid traveler, Candy’s adventures took her to the far corners of the globe, including Asia, Africa, Europe, and Central America. A dynamic woman, Candy had several hobbies. She was an expert knitter, a history buff, a philanthropist, as well as a fossil hound and a margarita and chocolate connoisseur. However, Candy’s greatest love was her family. She was married to Matthew Kahal for 42 years and the couple enjoyed their retirement in Charlottesville attending concerts and other local cultural events. Candy had three children, a daughter- and son-in-law, and four grandchildren who knew her as their fun-loving Nana. There will be a memorial to celebrate Candy later in the summer. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a charitable donation in Candy’s name may contribute to her favorite charity, the Martha Jefferson Hospital Foundation www.MJHFoundation.org.