Joyce R. Abbott

Joyce Alice Reseigh Abbott died on November 9, 2018. She was 77 years old, and a longtime resident of Grants Pass, Oregon. She was predeceased by her husband Dean Abbott, and is survived by her two sons Christopher and William Sager, her grandson Curtis Sager, her brothers Richard and Robert Reseigh, and her sister Judith Reseigh Jones.

Joyce grew up in Lakewood, Colorado. She spent her youth camping in the mountains, learning the clarinet, and becoming a competitive diver. In high school she was a majorette. Her favorite job as a young adult was as a guide for the State of Colorado capitol building. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Colorado in 1966, and spent her career as a social worker in Colorado, Arizona, and Oregon. She retired in Grants Pass where she became an active member of the Josephine County Democratic Party.

She will be remembered for her generosity. Not just the easy generosity to close friends and family, but the much greater generosity to people who were simply in need. A generosity that came with no expectation of gratitude, but was done because it made someone's life a little better, and in the belief that eventually it would make all of our lives better. She would have had little patience for such praise, but would have preferred that we enjoy the ultimate gift of a life well lived: that we learn from her example.

Although she did not live long enough to achieve it, one of her goals was to visit all of our National Parks which she strongly supported. Donations can be made to the National Parks Conservation Association.

Not in Vain by Emily Dickinson
If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain,
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one faint robin,
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.
Joyce, our mother, grandmother, sister, and friend did not live in vain.