Mary Ellen “TaTa” Drees Abbott passed away on Sunday, August 11, 2024, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She was 74 years old. Mary was born June 9, 1950, in Hays, Kansas to Joseph Gilbert Drees and Ellen Janette “Jan” Drees. A 1968 graduate of Marian High School, she went on to attend Marymount College in Salina, Kansas and Kansas State University.
She is preceded in death by her parents. Mary is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Denis Abbott; their daughter Kimberly Abbott and their sons, Mike Abbott and his wife Kim, and Scott Abbott, and her three beloved grandchildren, Brennan Abbott, Alyssa Abbott and Rex Abbott-Selser. She is also survived by her brothers, Tom Drees and his wife Sharon of Hays, Kansas and Charles Drees and his wife Pam of Manhattan, Kansas; as well as numerous other loving family and friends.
After leaving her job with the Baton Rouge School System, she was able to pursue her true passion, raising her children and creating a loving home for her family. Family was everything to TaTa, it was her happy place. She enjoyed fishing, watching anything LSU, shopping and travelling. She has visited all 50 states and a number of other countries. She will forever be remembered for striking up a conversation with literally anyone…and always having a smile on her face!
The family would like to acknowledge the care and compassion given to Mary and her family by Dr. Chad Braden, MD with Ochsner Primary Care, Dr. Joseph Cefalu, MD with Baton Rouge Cardiology, Sudheera Rachamallu MD with the OLOL Family Center, and the Medicine 1 unit at OLOL.
The family also recognizes Joy Taylor and Bobby McGinnis, for their special friendship.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Memorial Service at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at Resthaven Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Highway in Baton Rouge. A Memorial Visitation will be held at the funeral home beginning at 1:00 p.m. Burial in Kansas will be scheduled for a later time.
Family and friends may sign the online guestbook or leave a personal note to the family at www.resthavenbatonrouge.com