Irene Abbott Weltz

Irene B. Abbott Weltz went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, March 22, 2018.

Born on December 8, 1924 in Chestnut Grove, Maryland to the late William Bruce Hardey and Mary Elizabeth Seeler Hardey, Irene lived in Chestnut Grove all her life. She learned early to value hard work, and as a girl helped her father with farm chores. As an adult, she was employed by Legalon Clothing and Ross Garment Factory in Hagerstown, by Price Electric in Frederick, and by Washington County Public Schools, all in Maryland.

An artist with many skills, Irene was a seamstress, a poet, a skilled flower arranger, and an excellent cook. She made quilts and clothing for herself and members of her family-from feed sacks in "the old days" when times were lean.

Family was the most important thing in Irene’s life; she was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was practical and thrifty in her own life but generous to others, an outspoken defender of family and friends.

Qualities people remember about Irene include her kindness, her loyalty, her energy, and her independent spirit. Dancing eyes, a strong handshake, and a welcoming smile greeted newcomers at church, and some remember her as the first person they met at Boonsboro Bible Church or Chestnut Grove Bible Church. A bit of a kid-at-heart, she had a hearty laugh and loved Halloween parties. She will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her sister, Imogene Reeder; and sons, Austin (Abe) Abbott, Lionel Abbott and his wife, Helen, and Benny Abbott. She also leaves behind grandchildren, Kimberly Rumberg and husband, Jeff, Christopher Abbott, Shawn Burke, Lionel Abbott, II and wife, Carrie and Danny Cook and wife, Erin; as well as great-grandchildren, Summer and Emily Burke, Ada, Julian and Vera Cook, and Jason Abbott.

Irene B. Abbott Weltz was preceded in death by her first husband, Austin (Lance) Abbott and her second husband, Edwin Weltz as well as her son Dale Abbott, her brother William (Bill) Hardey, her sister Hyliene Tusing, and her daughter-in-law Rhonda Abbott.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at the Chestnut Grove Bible Church in Keedysville with Pastor Steven D. Cook officiating. Burial will be held at the Pleasant View Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, March 26, 2018 at Bast-Stauffer Funeral Home, 7606 Old National Pike in Boonsboro, Maryland.

Irene was a member of Chestnut Grove Bible Church. She asked that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the church (3636 Chestnut Grove Road, Keedysville, MD 21756) or Hospice of Washington County (747 Northern Avenue, Hagerstown, MD 21742), and wished God’s peace to all.