Elizabeth A. "Betty" Abbott

Elizabeth A. "Betty" Abbott, 95, of East New Market passed away on Friday, May 11, 2012 at Chesapeake Woods Center. She was born in Omaha, Nebraska on April 6, 1917 and was a daughter of the late Ephraim and Marie Sawyer Fahnestock.

She attended schools in Des Moines, Iowa and graduated from East High School in 1935. On December 24, 1936 she was married to Richard W. Peterson. He passed away on July 9, 1943. She was later married to Harold E. Hanson on August 20, 1950. Mr. Hanson passed away on December 9, 1967. On October 14, 1972 she was married to Joshua R. Abbott. Mr. Abbott passed away on August 23, 1995. Mrs. Abbott worked as a medical secretary at the Eastern Shore Hospital Center. She had retired in August of 1979. She enjoyed bowling and had bowled on the mixed doubles league. Mrs. Abbott had been a member of the First Baptist Church in East New Market where she taught Sunday School for 30 years and was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Cambridge. For several years she had been a member of the Dorchester Chorus, served two terms on the Dorchester County Welfare and Child Board and she had also been a member of the Dorchester General Hospital Auxiliary. She enjoyed reading and volunteering at the Pleasant Day Adult Day Care Center.

She is survived by three sons Richard W. Peterson of Chapel Hill, NC, David J. Peterson and wife Shirley of St. Mary's, GA and Robert L. Hanson and wife Cathy of Cambridge, a step daughter Patsy Creighton and husband Donald of Cambridge, nine grandchildren Richard W. Peterson III, David Peterson, Laverne Peterson, Joseph Lambright, John D. Peterson, Lori Cramer, Meredith M. Hanson, Scott R. Hanson and Lucas M. Hanson and three step grandchildren Bonnie Thomas, Patti Cannon and Todd Parks. She is also survived by numerous great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husbands she was preceded in death by three grandchildren Shannon W. Hanson, Lauren E. Lambright and Willie Lambright and two brothers Rupert H. Fahnestock and Robert L. Fahnestock.

Pallbearers will be Charles Hanson, David Hanson, Scott Hanson, Lucas Hanson, Eddie Dayton, David Cannon, Sr. and Todd Parks.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 1 p.m. at St. Paul's United Methodist Church with Rev. Fred Bahr officiating. Interment will follow at Dorchester Memorial Park. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Paul's United Methodist Church, c/o Scott Daniels, 205 Maryland Ave., Cambridge, MD 21613 or to Chesapeake Woods Center, c/o the Activity Department, 525 Glenburn Ave., Cambridge, MD 21613. Arrangements are in the care of the Thomas Funeral Home, P.A in Cambridge.