Myrtle "Vonnie" L. vonHagen Abbott

Gilmanton—Myrtle “Vonnie” L. vonHagen Abbott, 89, of 107 Durrell Mountain Road, died peacefully at her home on Tuesday, October 13, 2009. Mrs. Abbott was the widow of Dr. Richard N. Abbott who died January 26, 2007.
Mrs. Abbott was born April 1, 1920, in Boston, Massachusetts, the daughter of August W. and Louise (Brandli) vonHagen. The family moved to Middletown, Connecticut, where young Vonnie spent her formative years. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School and the Middlesex School of Nursing in Middletown. Mrs. Abbott completed nursing internships at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and the University of Pittsburg. She met her husband of 62 years while he was a medical intern at New Haven Hospital. The couple was married on October 28, 1944, prior to Dr. Abbott’s serving in WWII. After the war, Mrs. Abbott and her husband settled in Natick, Massachusetts, where they raised four children. She was employed as a registered nurse in her husband’s medical practice for a number of years, until their retirement in 1988. From 1988 until 2003, Mrs. Abbott and her husband lived in Beverly Hills, Florida. Since 2003, they resided in Gilmanton, New Hampshire.
Mrs. Abbott was a member of the First Congregational Church of Natick, Massachusetts, the Ladies Aid Association and the Natick Mother’s Club. She volunteered for the Red Cross Bloodmobile and Leonard Morse Memorial Hospital in Natick. While in Beverly Hills, Florida, she volunteered at the Beverly Hills Recreations Association and the Central Ridge Library.
Mrs. Abbott’s endless compassion for family and friends was demonstrated through caring telephone calls, cards and visits. She enjoyed quilting, knitting and decoupage. She loved water sports, synchronized swimming, sailing and waterskiing. Also, she was an avid bridge player and reader.
She is survived by her son Donald C. Abbott of Norton, Massachusetts, and his children, Michael, Rachael and Olivia; her son Richard N. Abbott, Jr. and spouse Monica of Boone, North Carolina, and his children, Andrew, Tyson and Paige; her son David W. Abbott of Oakland, California; her daughter, Anne L. Abbott Boyd and spouse Gilbert of Gilmanton and their children, Jennifer, Gilbert and Richard. One son, Kenneth, predeceased Mrs. Abbott.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble…you stretch out your hand, and your right hand delivers me —Psalm 138:7. Forever in peace and remembrance for the lives you touched, we miss you.
There will be no calling hours.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, October 23, 2009 at 10:00AM at the Gilmanton Community Church, Route 107, Gilmanton Corner, NH.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Community Health & Hospice, Inc., 780 North Main Street, Laconia, NH 03246 or to Doctors without Borders, 333 7th Avenue, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10001-5004.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH, is in charge of the arrangements.