Margaret A. Abbott, 93, of Madison St., Hamilton, passed away Thursday, March 27, 2014 at Community Memorial Hospital Skilled Nursing Facility in Hamilton. She was born December 8, 1920 in Hamilton, a daughter of William and Mary Farley O'Connell. She was a graduate of Hamilton Central School and the Central City Business Institute in Syracuse. On July 19, 1941, Margaret married Adelbert E. Abbott of Eaton. He predeceased her in 1974. A lifelong Hamilton resident, Margaret began work selling tickets at the Shine Theatre and then moved on to perform her secretarial skills in a variety of offices including Tetroid Company Inc. and Colgate University where she retired in her 72nd year. Her optimistic personality was acknowledged at Colgate when she won the Spirit Day Award. This honor may have been influenced by Margaret sporting green hair on St. Patrick's Day each year. Margaret was a communicant of St. Mary's Church in Hamilton. Surviving are her children, Linn Abbott of Hamilton, Rita Appleton of Canada, Daniel and Amy Abbott of Wellington, FL; and three wonderful grandchildren, Monica Steele, Elliot Abbott, and Aaron Abbott. She was predeceased by a son-in-law, Peter Appleton; her three brothers, Henry, William and Frank O'Connell; and a sister, Mary Johnson. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on March 31 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Church, 16 Wylie St., Hamilton. Interment will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Hamilton, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to SNF at the Community Memorial Hospital where she spent her last three years in compassionate care. Arrangements have been entrusted to Burgess & Tedesco Funeral Home, 25 Broad St., Hamilton, NY.

Published in Syracuse Post Standard from Mar. 29 to Mar. 30, 2014