The Abbott Daughters

Jim and Lizzie Abbott’s three daughters

Annie Abbott 1908 – 1976

Annie Abbott, born December 24th 1908, was named after James’ older sister Annie Abbott, but always known as Anne. Anne was Jim and Lizzie’s first daughter. She never married. Anne cared for her father Jim in his final years and died on February 18th 1976 age 68 yrs.

Alice Abbott 1910-1986

Second daughter Alice Abbott, born February 18th 1910, married Norman Cooper on December 18th 1937.  Sisters Betty and Anne were the bridesmaids.

Alice and Norman’s daughter Norma was born on November 21st 1941.

Alice died on April 4th 1986 and Norman on April 2nd 1970.

Norma McNab 1941 –

Norma Cooper married Ian Roderick McNab in 1964 and they had four sons: Alexander David born 1966, Robert John 1968, Edward James 1971 and Peter Matthew Richard 1973. Norma and Ian McNab live in Austin, Texas. The name McNab is Scottish and means “son of Abbott”.

Norma has generously provided all the photographs and much of the information about Jim Abbott and their family presented on these pages. Norma writes:

 

“We lived a few houses from Jim and Lizzie and Anne when I was a child, and I spent a lot of time with them. Jim loved to bet on the horses (shilling and sixpence bets). He would spend all morning picking out the winners and all afternoon waiting for the results on the radio. He also liked to do crosswords and read westerns. He used to talk a lot about his childhood and loved the country. I just wish now that I had paid more attention to his stories!”

Elizabeth (Betty) Abbott 1922 –

Youngest daughter Elizabeth Abbott was born on December 2nd 1922. She was Norma’s Aunt Betty.

Elizabeth (Betty) married Jack (John) Petter in 1946, with Norma Cooper (McNab) age 4 years as bridesmaid.  Jack’s father was Frederick Petter and his mother Julia (nee Randolph).

Betty lives with her husband Jack in Newcastle and they have two children, Lesley and Malcolm. Lesley has two sons, Robert (born 1979) and Andrew (born 1984), with husband David Bell.