Obituary of Robin Abbey

Robin Abbey, age 68, departed this life on Thursday, March 30, 2017 in Carrollton, Texas. Private family services were held and cremation services are under the direction of Griffin ~ Hillcrest Funeral Home, Ardmore, Okla. Robin was born on December 1, 1948, in Dallas, Texas, to Finnes Lee Abbe and Myrtle (Jones) Abbe. By the time he was 20 years old, he was preceded in death by his parents and by an infant brother. Robin grew up in Dallas attending Mount Auburn Elementary and graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School. During high school, Robin won awards as a speed roller skater and ice skater. He attended El Centro College to remain close to home to care for his ailing father. Robin’s first career was playing semi-professional hockey for the Dallas Blackhawks. He then began working in sales and through the years worked for Southwest Forest Industries, Big Three, and Air Liquide. Robin enjoyed sales, because he loved people and he loved serving others. In 1968, Robin married Mary Ann Makuta in Dallas and was welcomed into a new loving family. Their union was blessed by one son, Robin Abbey, Jr. In 1986, Robin married Kathryn Graham in Lubbock and he was again welcomed into another loving family. Robin was very involved in church activities. He was a former member of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church and then Christ the King Cathedral Church, both in Lubbock. In Independence, Kansas, Robin was a member of St. Andrews Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. In Ardmore, Okla., Robin was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He served on the vestry, acted as rector for numerous Cursillos, participated in ACTS, served on diocesan committees, as a lector, and as a Eucharistic minister, as well as many other activities. While a resident of Brookhaven Nursing Home in Carrollton, Texas, Robin was greatly blessed by the ministry of St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church. One of Robin’s accomplishments was completing the four year course in Education for Ministry from The University of the South School of Theology. One of Robin’s greatest joys was bringing Christmas to others. He loved the spirit and hope the season brought. He organized gift giving for children in need and for several years played Santa for Christmas community events at St. Mary of the Plains Hospital in Lubbock, Texas. Everyone loved Robin as he was easy to love. He accepted people for who they were and without judgment. When heart disease took away his ability to work, Robin accepted his disability with strength and grace. When he moved to the nursing home, he developed a loving community among the caregivers and residents. Robin lived the scripture from Romans 8:19, “What we are suffering now is nothing compared with our future glory.” He now lives where there is no suffering and only glory. He was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother, and brother-in-law, James Graham. Robin is survived by his wife, Kathryn, and beloved little Shih Tzu, Annabelle, of Ardmore; son, Rob Abbey and wife, Melissa, of Lubbock, Texas; two grandsons: Christian and Evan Hazelbaker of Lubbock; brother-in-law, Doyle Graham and wife, Pam, of Frisco, Texas; sister-in-law, Susan Graham of Amarillo, Texas; sister-in-law, Gloria Graham of Chillicothe, Texas; and numerous nieces, nephews, and godchildren. Memorials may be offered for St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church and Christ the King Cathedral in Lubbock, Texas; St Andrew’s Catholic Church in Independence, Kansas; St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ardmore, Oklahoma; St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church in Carrollton, Texas; or Heart to Heart Hospice Foundation, Plano, Texas. Condolences may be left at www.griffinhillcrest.com.