Anne G. Abel
Anne G. Abel, of Iowa City, Iowa, formerly of Wallingford, where she was a resident for over 35 years, passed away peacefully on December 31 at St. Luke’s Transitional Care Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, surrounded by her loving family. She was 84.
Anne was born in Baltimore, Maryland, to Thomas Wittmore Gorman and Christina Wirth Gorman. She grew up in Baltimore, where she attended Eastern High School before continuing her education at Samuel Ready School, from which she graduated in 1954. She went on to pursue a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Salisbury University, graduating in 1958. Anne spent her junior year in college studying at the University of Hawaii. She married Edwin George Abel Jr. on June 30, 1956, in Baltimore. They spent 54 loving and memorable years together before he passed away in 2010.
Anne taught elementary school in Maryland, North Carolina, and South Carolina, before joining the Upper Darby School District in Pennsylvania. For over 25 years, she taught at Westbrook Park Elementary School in Clifton Heights and served as Upper Darby Planetarium Director. Many teaching colleagues became lifelong friends, continuing their monthly lunches virtually during the pandemic.
Anne’s many artistic pursuits included jewelry-making, silversmithing, and ceramics. After converting her garage into a fully equipped pottery studio with three kilns, she made masks inspired by African art, along with tiles and vessels that reflected her interest in astronomy, particularly the constellations. She was proficient in many glazing and firing techniques, including raku, and received several prizes at art center shows in the Philadelphia suburbs. Her ceramic angels and other Christmas ornaments were sold at local art centers, at summertime craft shows at the New Jersey Shore, and at galleries in New York City and Connecticut. One of her ornaments is in the collection of the National Museum of Women in the Arts, in Washington, D.C.
She loved classical music and opera. She was a subscriber to the Philadelphia Orchestra for several decades, and to the Metropolitan Opera in New York, where she regularly attended performances with her son, Ted. Above all, Anne’s greatest joy was her family. Her loving presence will be missed by her family and all who knew her.
She is survived by her son, Edwin “Ted” George Abel III, daughter-in-law Noreen O’Connor-Abel, and grandson Seamus C. Abel, all of Iowa City.
Ann was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Edwin George Abel Jr.; and her brother, Thomas W. Gorman Jr.
A memorial service and burial will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church in Swarthmore at a later date — details to be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Anne’s memory can be made to the Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College, 500 College Ave., Swarthmore, PA 19081. You may share a memory of Anne, or send online condolences to her family, at lensingfuneral.com.
