Shirley Nelson Abell
August 23, 1927 ~ September 28, 2016
Shirley N. Abell, 89, of Compton, died September 28, at home. Born August 23, 1927 in Washington, D.C., she was the daughter of the late Mary Constance (Connie) Bostwick Nelson and John Herman Nelson, Sr. Shirley is predeceased by her husband, Joseph Perry Abell on August 31, 2002 after celebrating 54 years of marriage. She moved to St. Mary’s County in her early teens when her father helped to establish the Transportation Department at NAS Patuxent River and graduated from St. Mary’s Academy.
Shirley is survived by four daughters: Polly Bussler/Frank, Connie Long/Craig, Betty Goddard/C.A and Loretta Vallandingham/JW, 15 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Shirley is also survived by her brother John H. Nelson, Jr., brother-in-law Al Francis Guy and sister-in-law Loretta (Tiny) Taylor. She is predeceased by grandchild Debra Goddard, her sisters Frances (Frannie) Miesner, Eleanor (Micie) Guy and brothers- and sisters-in-law: J. Frank Abell, Sr., Sister Sara Ann Abell, Sister Mary Pauline Abell, Catherine Colonna, Marie Bassford, Sister Alberta Marie Abell, J. Fulton (Buster) Abell, and Walter Abell.
As a farmer’s wife, she spent her time on the family farm, surrounded by family and friends. She could be found helping to butcher hogs, making delicious sausage, canning garden vegetables, or helping pad tobacco for the market. Shirley was a talented seamstress. Her creations include countless wedding gowns, quilts, and prom dresses. She prepared bridal party dresses for the Fashion Center in Leonardtown for many years. She helped many friends in the neighborhood with buttons, hems, and alterations. She should have owned stock in Singer Sewing machines after wearing out quite a few through the years. She worked in the local Post Office for over 30 years, retiring as Compton’s Post Master in 1995.
Shirley has been a member of St. Francis Xavier Church for over 50 years and volunteered at the annual Christmas bazaars and Church events. She was a member of the Church quilters’ guild who created many, beautiful, hand-made quilt for raffles. Shirley also created the seasonal altar cloths, tabernacle covers, and banners. She participated in the altar society and church cleaning committee for years. Shirley also served as a member of the Catholic Daughters.
Visitation to celebrate her life will be held on Tuesday, October 4 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Compton, from 5 to 8 pm. Prayers, accompanied by the Knights of Columbus will be said at 7 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 5, at 11 am at St Francis Xavier Catholic Church with Fr. Tom Crowley, Fr. Brian Sanderfoot, and Deacon Bill Nickerson officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers for Mrs. Abell will be her grandchildren – Frank Bussler, Jr., Paula Goldsborough, Wes Thompson, Clarence Goddard, Deanna Goddard, and Jake Vallandingham. Honorary pallbearers will be her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and members of the Church Quilters Guild.
Contributions in her memory can be made to the 7th District Rescue Squad, 21530 Coltons Point Road, Avenue, MD 20609; Leonardtown Rescue Squad, 22855 Lawrence Avenue, Leonardtown, MD 20650; or the St. Francis Xavier Manor House Fund, 21370 Newtowne Neck Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650.
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Polly, Connie, Betty and Loretta, and extended family, I am so deeply sorry for your loss. I have had your mom in my thoughts lately. I had no idea your mom had been in the hospital recently. May God watch over you and keep you close to his heart in the days to come. Aunt Shirley will be met at the pearly gates of heaven with a slew of family, friends and loved ones, especially Uncle Perry. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers today and the days to come.
Compton is not quite the same without Shirley around. That being said however, she, along with her husband Perry raised a wonderful family through whom their legacy lives on. One more note…Shirley would have made a fine lawyer or detective!
What a beautiful woman she was inside and out, living her life so close to God and always lending a helping hand to so many. I’m so happy my wonderful son-in-law, Frankie, made me part of this great woman’s life. Welcome home, Shirley! I’m sure Perry is so glad to see you. You’ll always be in our good memory banks!
What a beautiful woman she was inside and out, living her life so close to God and always lending a helping hand to so many. I’m so happy my wonderful son-in-law, Frankie, made me part of this great woman’s life. Welcome home, Shirley! I’m sure Perry is so glad to see you. You’ll always be in our good memory banks!
She was a very beautiful woman . She lived a simple life and that was what made her happy. She was a giving woman who was strong in her faith and her family. We will pray that God be each and every one of you during this time of sorrow.
Shirley was a wonderful friend of our family. I grew up in Compton and always knew Perry & Shirley. She will be missed by a lot of people.
So sorry to hear of Mrs Abell Passing
Polly, Agnes and All Extended Family. So sorry to hear of Shirley’s passing. Polly you and others were so very good to her during her illness. May God Bless All of You. Another Wonderful Angel is in Heaven…
I pray that knowing that your mother is at peace, beginning her forever life, eases the pain in your hearts. She was a favorite person to our family. xo
‘s. Shirley was the sweetest woman we have known and she will always have a special place in our hearts. She and Perry will always be your guardian angels and they will be in your heart everyday. Love to Loretta, Connie, Betty and Polly. Mom is at peace now, let her rest. God Bless!
Please accept our deepest condolences with the loss of Shirley. She was truly a remarkable lady. I’m sure she is watching over all of us now.
To the Abell family,
We are holding you all up in our prayers as you go through this time of worldly loss. We all know where Shirley is now and that she successfully lived her whole life with God’s Promise as her guideposts.
Shirley was a True Example for us all. We still remember how much she cared for our kids as they would write letters to Santa and each year she would write them back an answer. What fun she had interacting with everyone. What a wonderful lady she was and we will miss her.
Love,
Linda and Rick Carroll
She was a great lady who will be dearly missed.
Another truly special Compton lady has left us. Polly, Betty, Loretta and family I am so sorry for your loss. She was a talented seamstress and gave so much of herself to our little church and the community. She always made me feel special.
Chris
To the family,
Shirley was a treasure and quite a lovely lady. She is with Perry. She will be missed by many!
I have such fond memories of Ms. Abell supporting the softball games. I am sorry to hear of her passing. May God’s angels take her to His heavenly banquet and heal your grieving hearts.
LA-
I was so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. Ms. Shirley was a truly a special lady and so full of joy.
I have such happy memories of her sitting in the stands at Pennies, cheering you on…or giving you h-e-l-l, if she thought you needed it! 🙂
My condolences to you, J.W. and the rest of your family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Myron and Maxine Loyd
Your Mom was a very special lady. I remember all of her help with the alterations she did for The Fashion Center. May you find comfort in the prayers and thoughts sent your way at this difficult time. May she rest in peace.
LA – So sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. I have wonderful memories of her from high school sporting events to adult softball. She was a an amazing person. My thoughts and prayers are with your family
Please accept my deepest condolence for the loss of a beautiful person. May “Aunt” Shirley rest in peace…
Loretta and Betty:sorry to hear about your mother, thinking of you during this difficult time. Take care
As Heaven welcomes another Angel, I will always remember what a special lady Shirley was. She will be greatly missed. My love and prayers to her family. What a blessing it was to have had her in our lives.
To all Shirley’s family, we want to extend to you our heartfelt sympathy. She was such a sweet lady and loved by so many. May you all find comfort and strength to carry on her legacy. She will never be forgotten. Be assured of our love, thoughts and prayers. May she now rest in peace.
So sorry for your loss. I know you will all miss her dearly. We will miss her too. Now I have no one to ask how to sew this or can that. She tasted butter and apple butter and often gave needed critique. She knew who was related to who , what was going on in the neighborhood and pretty much everything else. She was easy to talk to when you needed a friend, and quick to let you know if you needed advice. Hope she will forgive me for not heeding her “Why don’t you cut that hair ?” She will never be forgotten !
So sorry for your loss. I know you will all miss her dearly. We will miss her too. Now I have no one to ask how to sew this or can that. She tasted butter and apple butter and often gave needed critique. She knew who was related to who , what was going on in the neighborhood and pretty much everything else. She was easy to talk to when you needed a friend, and quick to let you know if you needed advice. Hope she will forgive me for not heeding her “Why don’t you cut that hair ?” She will never be forgotten !
So sorry for your loss. I know you will all miss her dearly. We will miss her too. Now I have no one to ask how to sew this or can that. She tasted butter and apple butter and often gave needed critique. She knew who was related to who , what was going on in the neighborhood and pretty much everything else. She was easy to talk to when you needed a friend, and quick to let you know if you needed advice. Hope she will forgive me for not heeding her “Why don’t you cut that hair ?” She will never be forgotten !
So sorry for your loss. I know you will all miss her dearly. We will miss her too. Now I have no one to ask how to sew this or can that. She tasted butter and apple butter and often gave needed critique. She knew who was related to who , what was going on in the neighborhood and pretty much everything else. She was easy to talk to when you needed a friend, and quick to let you know if you needed advice. Hope she will forgive me for not heeding her “Why don’t you cut that hair ?” She will never be forgotten !