Patricia Anne Abelson

Pat was born to Elsie Stephen Jessiman and John Jessiman on May 2, 1938, in Edinburgh, Scotland, where a piece of her heart remains. She went home to Jesus peacefully on January 16, 2025, in Littleton, Colorado after a long, courageous battle against chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Pat loved her childhood in Scotland, growing up with her brothers Ian and Eric, spending summers and holidays in her mom’s hometown of Peterhead, Scotland with her almost-family, the Gordons. She grew up during World War II and had many stories of how she, her family, and their neighbors would wait out air raids in their backyard bomb shelter, singing songs, telling stories, and wearing her Mickey Mouse-eared gas mask. She enjoyed working in her parents’ bakery, where she learned the secrets to the world’s best shortbread and Empire biscuits.

Joining her Aunt Jean’s family, Pat, her mom and two brothers immigrated to the United States in 1952, settling in Niagara Falls, NY. She attended Niagara Falls High School and went to work at The Carborundum Company in Buffalo upon graduation. After receiving four marriage proposals, Pat finally found and married the man she’d build a life and raise a family with, Paul Abelson. Though Paul joked that he’d married Pat for her white German Shepherd, Casey, everyone knew they were meant for each other. Introduced through their love of sports car racing (Pat in her Alfa Romeo and Paul in his Volvo P1800), they married in Niagara Falls in 1967 and enjoyed 52 years full of family joy, lots of socializing and party hosting, national and international travel, and patriotism for both Scotland and America.

While in Lewiston, NY, she threw numerous lavish dinner parties and co-chaired Lewiston’s bicentennial celebration in 1976 (although she didn’t become a US citizen until 2008). The family regularly sailed Lake Ontario on “Cutie Sark,” occasionally crossing the Lake to Toronto, and often hosting family and friends on their journeys. In 1978, the family moved to Lisle, IL, into the dream home Pat and Paul designed together; they lived there until moving with Heather’s family to Colorado in 2021.

Pat’s greatest joy was raising her kids, David Stuart and Heather Gwen. Her home was always open to their friends, whom she loved to feed, explore new music and laugh together!

Pat loved the finer things in life: gourmet cooking, wine, jewelry, music (especially Neil Diamond), art, and travel. Ending the day with a perfectly crafted “sweet bourbon Manhattan neat” was the ultimate, especially when it was enjoyed on the patio of Youngstown Yacht Club overlooking the sunset on Lake Ontario.

Pat was a member of Lisle Woman’s Club for decades, serving a term as President and chairing the annual Garden Walk. She enjoyed two bowling leagues, her Stitch Group (who did lots of talking and eating and very little stitching!), and the infamous Fun Club of Sun Valley Drive/Alta Court.

She showed her love through her creativity – handmade gifts, cards and wrapping; heartfelt writing; gourmet meals; breathtaking holiday decorations and tablescapes; and fun adventures.

Grandchildren made her life complete. Every minute spent with Johnathan Courage and William Liberty was pure joy! Sleepovers were their favorites, ordering Netflix CD’s, eating tons of KFC in bed, and “doing puffy” out front.

Pat is survived by her daughter Heather and her son David; grandsons John and Will; her brothers Eric and Eddie; sister in-law Marion (Ian); numerous nieces and nephews; and her grand-pup Holly. She is preceded in death by her husband Paul; mother Elsie; brother Ian; sisters in-law Marilynn (Eric) and Sarah (Eddie); son in-law Brad; and her dogs Prince, Casey, Sundance, and Bonnie.

Funeral and luncheon will be held Saturday, January 25th at 11 am at Drinkwine Family Mortuary, 999 West Littleton Blvd., Littleton, CO. Private inurnment will be held in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Pat’s memory can be made to Denver Rescue Mission or Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

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