Barbara A. Abbott

KANSAS CITY, Missouri — Barbara A. Abbott passed away Thursday, June 25th, 2015. She went peacefully, holding hands with her husband and daughter.

She was a longtime Northeast Kansas City resident and respected business lady. All her life, she helped whoever needed a helping hand. There were no lost souls to her. The lives she affected are too many to count. Her generosity tried my soul at times over our many years, but through it all, I considered myself the luckiest man in the world for the over 55 years to have had her love and devotion. She is the most amazing woman I have ever known and all who have known her will agree. Those in need have lost a true champion, her charity was boundless.

Fate has strange ways of altering our lives. Barbara and I met quite by accident. I went to visit a girl I had been seeing, but much to my surprise, she had moved. The door was answered by a beautiful young lady (Barbara of course) and she invited me in. We drank grape Kool-Aid and talked until 7 a.m.! That night was very emotional for us, our connection and closeness was more complete than either had felt before in our lives. As the morning sun beamed through the window, we realized that of us had to go to work that day. Love at first meeting, and forever after. For all our years, we have reminisced about the most special day of their lives.

Barbara loved going barefoot and country music. Her favorites were the song writers; Williams, Kristofferson, Nelson, and Tom T. Hall. She read and loved to quote poetry, especially McKuen. She was a voracious reader. She had every book on the Kennedy’s and has read all of them several times.

It was in the 1980’s that she met Ella Houston, a gospel singer and Salvation Army worker. Ella explained to her that the men graduating from the program had great difficulty finding jobs and decent places to live. Barbara put our real estate business to good use for both of those challenges; to this day we continue to help these men. If she had her way there would be no stray dogs or cats. If there was not a home to be found there was always room with us, we never had less than four or five of each.

Her biggest endeavor for the lost and homeless was a little girl named Jennifer. All of her family were either in jail or had died a violent death. We took custody of her, brought her into our home, and raised her with love and total care. After several years, this came to a bittersweet ending. A distant relative showed up to take her away, Jennifer did not want to go and left us crying. She is now living in another state and is a supervisor in charge of 15 parole officers. Jennifer has a wonderful husband and two great sons. Our reward for loving her was the day that she told us that we had saved her life and that she feels that we are her family. We are so very proud of her.

Barbara was a beautiful lady with a lot of flair. She was always known for wearing a hat and special dark glasses. Whenever I wanted to make her feel good, or make-up with her, I would bring her a different hat; she must have had a hundred of them, you can guess why.

Barbara started working politics in the 1960’s, our next door neighbor was Judge Mazuica and he persuaded her to help him get absentee votes. The judge and she knocked on every door in the North End. She and the judge had to eat more pasta and cookies then any one could believe. She also volunteered with Alex Presta, then Alex Fazzino president of the NE Democratic Club. She could deliver more votes than anyone in our district. Barbara displayed tremendous courage by backing Alan Wheat against the club. Then in 1991, she demonstrated even more bravery by standing valiantly against the club, when they picked an unbelievably incompetent candidate for city council. To counter this, Barbara started a new club, the CGGA. Barbara inspiration was contagious, with many volunteers, and hard work she not only stop that candidate, the club carried their complete slate. Her achievement was so astounding that the KC Star published a story on the CGGA Club. Barbara’s integrity could not be challenged and her loyalty was unwavering, often to a fault.

Barbara managed Abbott Properties since 1974. Tenants, clients, and employees all respected her and many loved her. Barbara’s early guidance gave a strong foundation to a successful business that operates to this day. Stories of her care and accomplishments could fill a large book.

The very best times we shared were on the road. We would always drive, no matter how far the destination. She would read books to me and then we would discuss them together. Our trips were never long enough. Her favorite places to visit were New Orleans and Galveston, Texas, where she first saw the ocean. She loved the ocean and always wanted to live at the beach. I will be taking Barbara to her favorite place, her ocean beach, soon.

My heartfelt thanks go to Sarah and all of the wonderful Hospice people, also all who held her hand in her last days, especially Paul and JJ. They all helped us get through the most difficult time of our lives. There was a private family memorial held, as per her wishes. Barbara leaves a husband of 56 years, a son, daughter, and 10 grandchildren. Barbara will be missed by both family and friends dearly. Those who wish to give tribute to her life should make a donation to the Alzheimer Association should visit www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp.