Mary Helen Mears Abbott, 87, lifelong resident of Delphi, passed away unexpectedly Monday-June 26, 2023, at 4:13pm, at IU Health Arnett Hospital in Lafayette, surrounded by her family. Mom was born on December 21, 1935, on her parent’s farm in Carroll County, just East of Delphi. Her father was Bert Mears, and her mother was Bertha Z. Schnieb Mears, and they preceded her in death. She married Arnold Lee Abbott, at the old Delphi Methodist Church, on June 10, 1956, and dad passed away on January 10, 2020. Mom graduated from Delphi High School in 1953. She graduated from Wright’s Beauty College in Logansport in 1954 and worked at that salon and the sister school in Lafayette for a few years. A stay-at-home mom, she waited until her youngest daughter was in school, and she started working at the former Pittsburg School for several years, and then at the former Monroe Street Middle School for several years, and finally at the new Delphi Middle School, retiring from the Delphi Community School Corporation in 1999, after 28 years of service. Mom was a licensed beautician for 66 years, and cut her family’s hair, and many of her closest friend’s hair in her home shop. After retirement, she volunteered at the Carroll County Family Health Clinic in Delphi for many years. Mom & dad farmed also, and she always had a hot meal for him in the field, just like they were sitting at their dinner table. She would help dad with the hogs, and chickens they raised, selling eggs, and always put out a big garden and had multiple flower beds around their home. She was a longtime member of the Delphi United Methodist Church, founding and charter member of the Wesley Wed Sunday School class, longtime communion steward, taking after her own mother, participated in the Circles of the church, attended the Monday afternoon bible study, helped with the Rotary meal the church sponsor’s, sang in the church choir for 66 years, and played in the church bell choir, taught and volunteered during VBS, and always helped with the church chicken BBQ fundraiser. She was active with her sorority Tri Kappa, and was currently in the associate chapter, a member for over 60 years. Mom loved children and was a Kid’s Hope Mentor to many young people. She volunteered with the Buddy Bag program, again involving young people. She and dad belonged to a euchre card club with some of their best friends for over 50 years. Each hosting a different month, to share a meal, play cards, and lots of laughter and fellowship.  She enjoyed picking raspberries and making her seedless world-famous raspberry jelly. Mom enjoyed cooking and hosting family events, especially her go to comfort food, pan fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and sweet corn. A child and grandchild family favorite. She and dad loved to mushroom hunt and just go for walks in their woods. She and dad traveled the U.S. and other countries, but her favorite trip they took was to the Holy Land. Mom and dad were avid supporters of the Oracles, and attended many games that their grandchildren played in, and all the school events too. They had to root for several different colleges also, making each family member feel their school was #1. Family was everything to mom and dad. And since his passing she has missed him terribly. We are deeply saddened by her unexpected passing, but knowing they are together again, in their heavenly home, brings nothing but smiles to us all. Mom was a great woman of faith, laying the foundation for each of us kids and grandchildren’s own walk with our good Lord. She would always say, “Give it to God”. A statement we all find saying ourselves and to our own families. Mom had a contagious smile and laugh, and loved to be with her many friends, and always her family. We were so blessed to call her mom and grandma, friend, and all the relationships we kids never realized she had in our community. Always putting others before herself, a true servant of God. Surviving: daughter-Marcia & Matt Eppers of Union, MI, daughter-Susan & Dr. Gregory Norman of Flora, son-Mark L. Abbott & Jenn Phipps of Delphi, son-Carl R. Abbott & Abby Cunningham of Delphi, daughter-Connie & Steve Myer of Delphi, 16 grandchildren: Jonathan, Nicholas & Allie, Christopher & Mekayla, Zachary & Matthew Eppers, Dr. Cory & Dr. Polly, Dr. Cameron & Courtney Norman, Dr. Chanler & Travis Demerly, Garrett, Braden & Jenna Abbott, Noah, Myah, & Elah Abbott, Kolby, Kain, & Kooper Myer; 12 great grandchildren: Gabriel, Luke, & Andrew Norman, Bodie, Weston, & Walker Eppers, Lola & Zoe Eppers, Palmer, & Knox Norman, Oakley, & Lainey Demerly. Mom was preceded in death by a granddaughter Marlee Abbott, 4 brothers Sherry, Kenneth, Keith, & Richard, her sister Elizabeth, 3 nephews Tommy, George, & Robert, 2 nieces Beverly & Brenda. Visitation will be Friday 4pm to 8pm at Abbott Funeral Home, Inc., Delphi. Her funeral service will be Saturday at 11am at the Delphi United Methodist Church, Rev. Todd Ladd officiating. Burial at Morning Heights Cemetery, Delphi. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bertha Mears Scholarship or Carroll County Cancer Association, envelopes will be available at the funeral home. To view her obit or to send an online condolence to the family, visit: www.abbottfuneralhome.com