Barbara Jean Abbott passed away peacefully on January 17, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. She was born on July 12, 1936, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to her parents Robert and Freda (Jonasen) Jensen. Barbara is survived by her three devoted daughters: Deborah (Martin) Kaler, Katherine (David) Crane, and Roberta (John) Van Zant, and 8 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband John Abbott, her parents, her sister Betty Fey, and her brother Donald Jensen.
Barbara was born in the middle of a record-breaking heat wave and was the only one of her siblings born in a hospital. Her father was a farmer and Barbara always considered herself an Iowa farm girl. After her high school graduation, she and her older sister Betty moved to Denver, Colorado. Barbara met her husband John Abbott, a young airman, while dancing one night. They were married for 50 years and had assignments to the Pentagon, Hawaii, and Texas. She was a talented seamstress, often sewing clothes for her three daughters. She loved her dogs. She and her husband John had three dachshunds and three beagles over the course of their marriage. She was an excellent cook and a generous neighbor and lived in the same house in Live Oak for over 50 years. Barbara’s love of gardening led her and others to begin the Live Oak Garden Club and she spearheaded the creation of a xeriscape project in Live Oak. She worked as an election judge in later years.
Barbara found joy in helping others – she was a giving, loving woman who took wonderful care of her husband, children, and friends. She will be deeply missed.
A service to honor Barbara’s life will be held at Porter Loring Mortuary North located at 2102 North Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, TX 78232 on Sunday February 9, 2025. Visitation will be from 2:00 to 4:00 pm, with a funeral service immediately following.
Rev. Aaron Richter will officiate. Donations in Barbara’s name can be made towards items on Live Oak Animal Control’s Wish List amazon site: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2QSM9HRJX1U0?ref_=
