IN LOVING MEMORY OF

Leah F. Abbitt

July 8, 1927 – July 15, 2024

Leah F. Abbitt, having recently celebrated her 97th birthday, succumbed to congestive heart disease. Strong will and determination were only a couple of her attributes. A loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend will be greatly missed.

Leah was born on a hot July day and was one of five children born to Fred and June VanDeWostine of Atkinson Township in Henry County, IL. She was raised on a farm and always more adept to helping her father with chores than helping mom in the kitchen. We recall her story of the day, as a young girl, being asked by her mother to put a can of bean on the wood-fired stove for supper…….and she did just that !!

It wasn't long after graduating from Prophetstown High School that she started out on her own. From her early days at the Rock Island Arsenal to her eight years at Buddy L Toys, to her nine years at Ametek assembling control panels of Speed Queen washers and dryers. Aspirations of a better life led her towards four decades of a highly successful professional career in real estate.

Leah's sales career began in 1971 with Hynes & Howes, which soon transitioned into a partnership with Fritz Railsback, followed by her franchises with Coldwell Banker and Century 21. Ultimately, she became an independent Realtor with Bert Hanlin as her partner of choice.

Leah married James W. Abbitt, Sr. on Christmas Eve of 1954. Leah and Jim raised three sons, Jerald, Roger and James, Jr; and built their East Moline home in 1961 where she resided until her death. Leah was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and sons Jerry and Roger.

Among those left to continue the Abbitt name and extending new branches on the family tree are her son James (Sherrie) of East Moline; a step-daughter Anita (Earl) Johnson of Hawk Point, MO, adult grandchildren Suzanne (Jerry) Norton of Silex, MO; Christopher (Lori) Abbitt, Waukesha, WI; Jennifer (Chuck) Stone of Moline; Pam Arroway of Lafayette, CO; Lucas (Stacey) Abbitt of Dubuque, IA; Timothy (Jackie) Abbitt of Springfield, OR; Joshua Abbitt of Chicago; and Jamie Nowlin of East Moline; together with sixteen great-grandchildren.

Special memories and thanks are reserved for her many friends and cardplayers of the South Moline Township Senior Center (and its activities director, Paula), the specialists of Genesis Hospice Care, and a friend in Carol and Dennis who each provided help in and around her home.

Cremation rights have been observed and arrangements conducted by Van Hoe Funeral Home in East Moline. There will be no visitation, but those wishing her farewell may attend graveside services conducted at Greenview Memorial Gardens, East Moline at 3 pm on Monday, August 12th. In lieu of flowers or plantings, the family wishes that offerings be made to the Food Bank of Christ United Methodist Church, 3801 7th Street, East Moline, IL; as Leah made regular donations of food and hygiene items for those in need.

Please view Leah's full obituary and leave a message or favorite memory for the family at Van Hoe Funeral Home's website: https://www.vanhoe.com