Obituary of Norma M. Abele

Mrs. Norma M. Abele, 87, of the Sarah Jane Sanford Home and formerly of Hewitt Street, died suddenly, Sunday April 12, 2009 at St. Mary's Hospital. Born on January 5, 1922 in Saratoga County, she was the daughter of Raymond and Mary Fonda Johnson. A lifelong area resident, Norma graduated from Amsterdam High School and went on to attend the Amsterdam School of Commerce. For 20 years, Norma was employed for OTB as an administrative assistant retiring in 1999. She also worked for Mohasco for several years. Norma served on the board for Montgomery County Transitional Services and was a faithful member of the United Methodist Church, and served as a lay speaker. Above all, she loved her family dearly and will be sadly missed by all who knew her. On May 30, 1942 she was united in marriage to Francis J. Abele. That union lasted nearly 38 years until his passing on May 18, 1980. Norma was also predeceased by a sister Lois Johnson. Her loving family includes, her son Alan Abele and his wife Lucy of Tribes Hill; two daughters, Carol Ann Maurer and her husband Bill of Gilbert, AZ and Mary Lou Starace and her husband Rick of Amsterdam; two brothers, Raymond Johnson of Hagaman and Ralph Johnson of Florida; two sisters, Ann Hayes of Otego, NY and Carol Syzek of Amsterdam, NY; six grandchildren, Cathie Rob Van Wert, Jodi Rossi, Shawn Tammy Jablonski, Jay Heather Jablonski, Christopher Erin Abele and Katie Abele and her fiancé Kyle MacNaughton; four great grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at 10 o'clock at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home with the Rev. Greg DeSalvatore presiding. Interment will follow in Green Hill Cemetery, Amsterdam. Relatives and friends are invited and may call from 4 until 7 this evening Tuesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Sarah Jane Sanford Home for Women, 69 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, NY 12010.