Barbara Anne Abell

Barbara, affectionately known as Bobbie to her family and Boo to her many friends, grew up in Houston and was a graduate of St. Agnes Academy, Class of 1958. She received her degree from the University of St. Thomas. After college, she entered the Convent with the Dominican Sisters of Houston and served for 15 years, mainly as a teacher at St. Agnes Academy. Later in life, she married the love of her life, Jim O’Connor.

Bobbie lived in many places throughout her life – Houston, England, California and her beloved, Washington D.C.

She was passionate about her social work and loved helping others. She and Jim worked to bring grocery stores to inner city neighborhoods that did not have access to larger, more economical grocery stores in a few large cities across the country. She was instrumental in publishing a book to help children navigate the court system for CASA of Houston.

She loved gardening – she especially loved growing sunflowers. She enjoyed being outdoors – she walked the National Mall regularly while living in Washington and Herman Park once she returned to Houston.

She loved food - cooking and sharing meals with friends and family. She enjoyed every bite and every moment around a table with those she loved. With each bite, Bobbie would mention to the table how lovely the meal was. A perfect tribute to her will be to surround yourself with your family/friends at a table with wonderful food and raise a glass of good wine to her.

She was a beautiful person, both inside and out. Her whimsical nature and kind heartedness charmed all who knew her. Her gifts were always unique, fun and something she chose just for you. She made instant friends and held strong bonds with many friends throughout her life. To Bobbie, everyone was a friend. She was blessed with a very close knit, loving group of childhood friends who thoroughly enjoyed going through life together. Her very best friend, Diana DuGas Porcarello, traveled through life with Boo and they enjoyed nearly their entire lives together. Her neighbors, Seema and Mallika Khurana, quickly became family and she adored them both.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, James L. Abell Jr. and Thomas J. Abell, her sister, Sr. Jane Abell OP and her husband, Jim O’Connor.

She is survived by her niece, Lisa Abell Thompson and her family – husband, Mark and daughters, Asher Elizabeth and Catherine Jane. She loved Asher and Cate with all of her heart – so many notes and little things would appear in the mail, always encouraging them and letting them know they are loved and they could take on the world as strong, beautiful young women. She is also survived by her sister in law, Mary Lyons Abell.

Bobbie’s family would like to thank the staff at Belmont Village Lakeway for the extraordinary care she received – William, Michalyn, David and too many wonderful PALS to name. You all loved her and she loved you all. You are all very special people who do wonderful things every single day. Also, Liliana Damron with Austin Geriatric Specialists who took wonderful care of her, and Brandy Taylor, her compassionate, kind and caring hospice nurse.

Per her wishes, services will be a private family burial at a later date.

Donations may be made in her memory to the Dominican Sisters of Houston Retirement Fund, 6501 Almeda Road, Houston, Texas 77021.