Mary Ellen (Missert) Abbott, 90, of Malone, N.Y., died peacefully Monday morning, Nov. 14, 2016, at her home, surrounded by family.

Born in Buffalo, June 26, 1926, she was the daughter of Aloysius J. and Helen (Hammond) Missert. She graduated as Valedictorian from Holy Angels Academy in Buffalo in 1942, at 16 years of age. She then moved with her family to Ogdensburg, where she attended the Ogdensburg Business Academy, and worked with her father at A.J. Missert Inc. Beverage Distributors.

In 1946 she married William R. Abbott, her lifelong sweetheart and soulmate, at St. Joseph's Cathedral in Buffalo, and for 13 years the family made their home in Tonawanda. In 1959 she returned to Ogdensburg, where she worked tirelessly with her husband in various parish and community charities, assisting in the formation of the Ogdensburg Rescue Squad.

In 1965 she moved to Malone, where she and her husband established A&M Beverages Inc. For 25 years they worked side by side to build the strong community involvement of this local business, a tradition continued for the next 20 years by her son Jeffrey, daughter-in-law Janine and granddaughter Kimberly Abbott.

She devoted her life to family, friends, church and community, supporting and volunteering for many years on local committees of Notre Dame Church, Alice Hyde Hospital and the Red Cross. She was a member of the Ladies of the Elks 1303, the Alice Hyde Medical Center Ladies Auxiliary. She enjoyed travel, particularly to visit her children and grandchildren, and made every family gathering a special one with her love and caring generosity.

Surviving are two daughters, Ellen (Robert) Legault of Ottawa, Ontario, and Patricia (David) Graham of Pittsford, N.Y.; five treasured grandchildren, Jennifer (Robert) Hopkinson and Karen Lajoie of Ottawa, Erin Graham of Milton, Vt., Kimberly Abbott of Denver, Colo., and William Abbott of W. Hollywood, Calif.; two great-grandchildren, Evelyn and Samuel Lajoie of Ottawa; several nieces and nephews across the country; and many dear and treasured friends.

Mrs. Abbott was predeceased by her husband, William R. Abbott, daughter, Mary Ann, sons, William R. Jr. and Jeffrey A. Abbott, daughter-in-law, Janine (Johnson) Abbott, sister, Joan (Missert) Brandy and brother, John Missert.

Calling hours will be from 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, November 20, at St. Mary-Murphy-Wilcox Funeral Home.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday, November 21, at Notre Dame Church in Malone.

Burial will be at St. Joseph's Cemetery, Lake Titus Road.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to St. Andre Bessette Parish.

Online condolences may be offered at www.chateaugayfuneralhome.com.