Shirley Messick Abbott

Shirley Messick Abbott passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, March 27th, 2025 at the Talbot Hospice Facility in Easton, Maryland. She was one of eleven children born to Perry Rache and Lillian Woodward Messick on the family farm in Beulah, Maryland on September 16th, 1932.

In her younger years Shirley spent time working on the family farm with her siblings. She married William Crawford Abbott on October 27th, 1951 in a double ceremony with her sister Ann and James Slacum. They celebrated 69 years of marriage just before Crawford’s death on January 16th, 2021.

Shirley worked for many years as a telephone operator at the C&P Telephone office in Cambridge and later retired from Airpax Electronics.

Shirley and Crawford raised their three daughters in the home that they built together at 207 East Appleby Avenue. Their home was always busy with family and friends. Shirley was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister. She maintained a close and loving relationship with each of her nine siblings over the years. Shirley’s greatest joy was spending time and making memories with her grandchildren. She was extremely excited to welcome her fourth great grandchild due in early August.

Shirley spent the last few years with her daughter Karen in Bonnie Brook where she visited with family and friends, watched her beloved soap operas and The Hallmark Channel while lounging with her cats- Maisey and Paisley.

Shirley was pre-deceased by her husband Crawford, her parents and nine siblings- Gladys, Clara Mae, Donald, Norris, Paul, Bobby, Kenny, Ann, and Nancy; along with her son in-law Ernest Eskridge.

She is survived by her baby sister Janet Messick, daughters; Sharon (Mark) Cropper, Karla Eskridge and Karen Abbott; granddaughters- Chelsea (Brian) Seabrease, Emily (Spencer) Tomecko, and Addie (Adam) Bowie; three great-grandchildren- Preston and Quinn Seabrease and Amelia Bowie; and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their sincere love and gratitude to Shirley’s dedicated and loving caregivers: niece Amy Rigney, sister Janet Messick, Robyn Edmondson, Aggie Rossini and Tammy Lewis for providing support, love and laughter over the years. Additional heartfelt thanks to the true “Angels on Earth” at Talbot Hospice for taking such loving care of Mom- along with the rest of the Abbott family- during her two weeks there.

A Celebration of life will be held on Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 12pm at Thomas Funeral Home, P.A. in Cambridge with Rev. Steve Bloodsworth officiating. Family will receive friends from 11:30am to 12pm. Interment will follow at Dorchester Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Talbot Hospice, 586 Cynwood Drive, Easton, MD 21601 or The Open Bible Church, 1619 Race Street, Cambridge, MD 21613

Arrangements are in the care of The Thomas Funeral Home, P.A. in Cambridge.