Mary S. Cooper, daughter of Arthur Bement (1893-1960) and Helen R. (Dietz) (1897-1983) Cooper, was born 30 March 1923 Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan. She graduated in 1941 from Okemos High School. Mary came from a large Cooper family all of which attended and graduated from OSH; Art, Chuck, Ken, Dick, Joanne, Robert.
Mary wed Philip J. "Phil" Abbott 27 June 1942 Alaiedon Township, Ingham County. Phil, born 11 May 1922 Kent County, Michigan, enlisted in the US Army Air Corp 6 November 1942.
Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Sunday 13 February 1944
ABBOTT - Word has been received by Mrs. Mary Abbott, Mason, of the arrival in England of her husband, Corp. Philip J. Abbott. Corporal Abbott is in the ordnance division of the air corps.
Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Sunday 11 March 1945
Two Lansing men are members of a Marauder bomber group, which has just been awarded the war department citation for it devastating attacks against the enemy during the recent German counter-offensive. The award was given for the outstanding determination and skill, as well as courage of the officers and men during the attack. The local members of the group are: Corp. Philip J. Abbott, supply clerk, husband of Mrs. Mary E. Abbott, 310 Maple street; and son of Mr. and Mrs. John Abbott, R. 4, Mason....
Phil was honorably discharged from military service at Indian Gap, Pennsylvania, November 1945. Phil and Mary built a home on Jolly Road, Okemos and there raised 4 children. They were faithful members of First Baptist Church of Okemos for many years.
Phil, a retired salesman with Modern Wholesale Electric in Okemos, died 27 January 2015 Eaton County. Mary died 25 March 2015 Eaton County.
Published in Lansing State Journal on Mar. 27, 2015
Mary S. Abbott
Mulliken
Formerly of Okemos
Age 91, went to be with her Lord and Savior on March 25, 2015. She was born March 30, 1923 in Lansing, a daughter of Arthur and Helen (Dietz) Cooper.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Philip; her parents; grandson, Ronnie Keefer; daughter-in-law, Joanna Abbott; brothers, Charles, Kenneth and Arthur; sisters-in-law, Betty and Lenore; brother-in-law, Norman. Surviving are her children, Janet Keefer, David Abbott, James Abbott and Joellen Plummer; sister, Joanne Wells; brothers, Richard (Joy) and Robert (Judy); sister-in-law, Julia; and adopted daughter, Mary "Queeny;" 20 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.
Services 1 P.M. Monday, March 30, 2015, at Nashville Baptist Church, with Pastor Lester DeGroot officiating. Interment following at Meadowbrook Cemetery, Mulliken. The family will receive friends from 3-5 P.M. Sunday at Barker-Leik Funeral Home, Mulliken. Memorial contributions may be made to Nashville Baptist Church or Hospice Advantage, 801 S. Waverly Road, Suite 200, Lansing, Michigan 48917.
Comment from Sherrie Paty Barber:
Phil and Mary were our neighbors for years on Jolly Road. I spent many an overnite at the Abbott abode playing with Janet, David, Joellen and Jim. On one of my numerous visits I discovered a picture of Mr. Abbott in his WWII Army uniform. I always knew Mr. Abbott as being bald.....never knew he had ever had a head of hair. I remember taking the picture to Mrs. Abbott and asking who the man was. She simply smiled and said it was Phil. I was absolutely amazed. The man in the picture did not look like the man I knew!
Being included in the Abbott gang also included the weekly ritual of taking a large tablespoon of, and if my memory serves me correctly, Milk of Magnesia. I have no idea of the what or why of this rite but I lined up with the the group, held my nose and was dosed. Terrible stuff! I gagged along with everyone else and then took off for another pillow fight down the long bedroom hallway. I don't think I told my Mom about those Saturday night doses and I lived through the experience.....probably cleaned us all out good!
Those were the delightful years of youth. Racing our bikes up and down the road, exploring the quirmire swamp not far from the Abbott home, playing with Spot the Abbott's 3 legged dog and being just another dirty-fingered child racing in and out of the house. The Abbott home was always warm and welcoming!