Patricia "Pat" Theobald Abrams' Obituary
Patricia ("Pat") Theobald Abrams, 83, passed away peacefully in Gainesville, Florida, on Saturday, May 6, 2017, after a brief illness.
Pat was born on October 15, 1933, in Rome, NY, and was the oldest of five children born to Adelbert and Helen Theobald. Pat was the Salutatorian of the 1951 senior class at Camden Central School in Camden, NY. She went on to receive her bachelor's degree in English from the New York State College for Teachers in Albany, NY, and taught English and Latin at the high school level before becoming a full-time mother and homemaker. Pat was married to Robert M. Abrams from 1957-2003.
Pat and her family lived in Morton, PA, and then in Hamden, CT, before relocating to Gainesville, FL, in 1969. Gainesville is where she raised her family and came to call home.
Pat was a devoted mother of four. She enjoyed gardening, theater, concerts, genealogy, and spending time with family. She valued education, conservation, history, and the arts. She supported various community organizations and was an avid fan of the University of Florida Gators. In her later years, she was a member of Gainesville's PrimeTime senior organization. Raised Methodist, Pat lived her life with integrity and grace.
Pat was predeceased by her parents, Adelbert and Helen Theobald, and her eldest brother, Bernard Theobald. She is survived by her children, William R. Abrams and his wife, Susan Goffman of Gainesville, FL; Thomas E. Abrams and his wife, Lea, of Westfield, NJ; Julie M. Abrams-Bernier and her husband, Ulrich Bernier, of Gainesville, FL; and Sarah B. Winner and her husband, David, of Charlotte, NC; six grandchildren, Emily Jones, Rachel Abrams, Kaitlin and Connor Abrams, and Zachary and Dylan Winner. Pat is also survived by three siblings, Suzanne Elston of Gainesville, FL, Bruce Theobald and his wife, Mary, of Vestal, NY, and Donna Cluse and her husband, William, of Southport, NC; as well as many special nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Gainesville Community Playhouse, PO Box 14233, Gainesville, FL 32604, or the Hippodrome State Theater, 25 SE 2nd Place, Gainesville, FL 32601. A private celebration of Pat's life will be held in Gainesville, FL. Cremains will be laid to rest in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Camden, NY.
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