Frances McLaughlin Abbott

Frances Abbott (née Frances McLaughlin) passed away peacefully on June 10, 2025, at the age of 80, leaving behind a legacy of strength compassion and irreverent wit. A devoted wife, mother, nurse, and animal lover, Frances touched lives across communities and continents. Frances was born on Friday the 13th in March 1945, in Augusta, Georgia. As a teenager she worked at her family’s bar, FranJoe’s, where she first displayed the work ethic and sharp humor that would define her life. While in college, Frances met the love of her life, Emile (“Bill”) Abbott. Their whirlwind courtship quickly blossomed into a marriage spanning more than 60 years, filled with laughter, partnership, and devotion. Together, they lovingly raised two sons: Tony and B.J. Frances pursued a career in nursing, earning her Registered Nursing degree from Emory University and a master’s degree in Psychiatric Nursing. Her career was marked by empathy, clinical skill, and humor, serving patients at Georgia Mental Health Hospital and the Shepherd Spinal Clinic. Alongside her many roles in healthcare, she also taught English at Old Dominion University, Virginia and later became the business manager for Bill’s medical practices in Metro Atlanta and in Del Rio, Texas, where they moved in 1989. Once in Del Rio, Frances quickly became a beloved and unmistakable part of the community Whether she was organizing community events, participating in local wine clubs, or engaging in animal rescue – she was always the life of the party. Animals held a special place in Frances’s heart – she and Bill shared their home with many dogs and cats over the decades. A self-proclaimed “cat mom,” Frances cared for countless cats over the last 15 years; both her own as well as those she tended to throughout Del Rio. Frances is survived by her beloved husband of over 60 years, Bill; her sons, Tony Abbott and his wife, Nicole, and B.J. Abbott and his husband, Joseph; her brother, Joseph McLaughlin, and his family; and a wide circle of friends across the globe whose lives she touched. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family asks that adoptions or donations be made at your local animal shelter in Frances’s honor. There’s no better tribute than giving a home to a cat or dog in need, just as she would have done. A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Monday, June 16, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel. A memorial service will begin at 10 a.m. In lieu of floral offerings, the Abbott Family requests that donations be made to the City of Del Rio Animal Shelter or the Wounded Warrior Project.

Frances McLaughlin Abbott

March 13, 1945 - June 10, 2025