Nellie Abbett

Nellie Marie Hoeltke was born on September 14, 1917 in Indianapolis, Indiana to Mary Ellen Keeley and William Charles Frederick Hoeltke. Her birth order was seventh of a total of nine children. Six of the nine children lived to adulthood. She is survived by one sister, Virginia Sauter of Orlando, Florida and one brother, Oscar Hoeltke of Apopka, Florida. Nellie Marie lived in Orlando, Florida in her teen years and back in Indianapolis for her adult life. She was unable to complete the 8th grade but selectively self-taught herself. She met Corydon David Abbett, who was a neighbor on Brookside Avenue in Indianapolis, and they married in Greenfield, Indiana on August 22, 1936. Nellie worked as a certified Cosmotologist prior to the births of her children: Janice Marie Greer currently of Punta Gorda, Florida; Corydon David Abbett, Jr. of Oak Ridge North Carolina, and John Douglas Abbett of Clearwater Beach, Florida. Other than a few part time positions in sales at L.S. Ayres and Sweetheart Bakery, and as an Activity Director for a long-term care facility, she preferred to be a homemaker. Her interests were playing stringed instruments and she excelled at the Mandolin, Banjo and Piano as well as the Organ which she played by hearing music and playing it without being able to read music by note. She had a lovely Contralto singing voice and her music was often heard as she cleaned house or worked in the garden. She was known for her ability to sew by machine or by needlework. She made many items of clothing for her family as well as for needy children and her crochet work is present in many afghans and kitchen linens. In fact, the last project she was able to finish was a baby blanket and cap for her 4th great-great grandchild who is expected this May. Over the years she enjoyed cooking and baking for her family and she was especially known for her German Apple Dumplings and Cushaw Pie. Nellie's great love was her husband, Corydon; at the time of his death in October 2011 they had been married for 75 years. Her favorite color was pink. During World War II, at the request of Emma Thornton, Nellie's older sister, a Bible Worker was sent to give Nellie studies and at the end of the war she was joined by baptism to the Seventh-day Adventist Church; some of you will remember as "old north side church" at 23rd and Alabama streets. She has been a faithful and devout member of the church ever since. Her church activities have included Dorcas Leader, Investment Leader, children's sabbath school teacher, and she saw to it that her children would provide special music as needed. She is known by some for her presentation with her poodle, Fluffy, that she trained to perform a skit to promote Ingathering. In addition to Nellie's brother, sister and children mentioned above, there are: 6 Grandchildren: Gregory Lee Greer Stephen Douglas Greer and his wife Donna Danielle Greer Christina Yvette Abbett Stephanie Eileen Courtney Brian Douglas Abbett Douglas Eugene Abbett 13 Great Grandchildren: Michael Lee Greer and his wife Monique Terese Greer Nicholas Morgan Greer Christopher Jordan Greer Jonathan Zachary Greer Lauren Mary Margaret Greer Sarah Elizabeth Jean Greer Erika Ashley Webster Rachel Kristine Webster Sherease Eileen Wilkinson Aaron Allen Wilkinson Brianna Lyn Burr Isiah Abbett Brittany Abbett 3 -Great-Great Grandchildren plus two more expected: a baby girl in May and a baby boy in June who survive Nellie. You are invited to go to the Guest Book page to pass along your personal message or tell a story. Sincerely, -Your friends at Flanner and Buchanan