Ardith Maxine Terry Abbott, age 91, passed away on Sunday, June 21, 2020 in Abraham, Utah. She was born on May 9, 1929 in Delta to Melvin and Ardith Melverne Shields Terry. She was the eldest of nine children. Her mother died when she was 5 years old. Between ages 5 and 7 she was raised by her Aunt and Uncle Melva and Rod Shields. After her father remarried she was raised by Viola LaVerne Miller. She had to walk a mile to and from the bus stop every day just to attend school. She attended Delta High School where she enjoyed playing the drums in the band. She soon caught the attention of a handsome young man returning from the war, and married Manley Alldredge Abbott on February 12, 1947 in Sugarville, Utah; and sealed on February 26, 1959 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They were inseparable for 69 wonderful years until his passing on November 22, 2016. After their marriage, they made their home in Clearfield, Utah for 25 years, and made many wonderful friends there. Later they returned to Sugarville and became a special part of the community.
Maxine was a woman of service. She was a woman of great faith and served in many callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was a member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers and the Womens’ American Legion Auxilliary. She and Manley served in the Manti LDS Temple for 13 years. She was a wonderful mother skilled in sewing and baking.
She was an angel, full of love, hope and charity through and through. Her life was one of very hard lessons and as she came through each one with strength and courage she grew in ways that made her leap tall buildings in a single bound and land softly and sweetly with her arms out to serve more. She served so many that it is impossible to count them all. She managed to train up 6 kids and keep dad somewhat humble. She always had a laugh even when she didn't quite understand the joke. She loved games and party's and was always willing to cook and party with us all. She truly wanted to hear what you had to say and was constantly inspired to call and check on someone. She cleaned her own home right up to the end. She knew the difference between a person and their actions, and was always forgiving. She thought everyone was as good a person as she was. The hope is that the lessons she taught by her actions will pass down though many generations. That would make this world a better place for sure. Her loving, exuberant spirit will always be remembered and we can draw from her inspiration forever. Love you mom.
Maxine is survived by her children: Tony (Thorelle) Abbott, Sugarville; Sharon Abbott (daughter-in-law), Sugarville; Wendy (Mike) Pearce, Nibley; Danny (Kathy) Abbott, Santa Clara; Patricia (Ivan) Matheson, Enoch; Jennifer (Bryce) Tolbert, Abraham; 27 grandchildren, 87 great grandchildren, and 8 great-great grandchildren; siblings: Birdie Roper, Steve, Hal, Sondra Stevenson, Paul Dean, Robert. She was preceded in death by her husband: Manley; son: Terry Abbott; brothers: Jay and Doug Terry.
Family Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, June 27 at 11:00 am. A Public Viewing will be held at the Nickle Mortuary on Friday, 6:00-8:00 pm. Burial will be in the Sutherland Cemetery following the service. The link to the Video recording of the funeral is available at https://youtu.be/bKmOrqH7hpw