Dorel Alco AbbottAsheville - Dorel Alco Abbott, thirty-two year resident of Asheville, NC, passed away on December 18, 2016. She was born on July 20, 1923 to Julian and Elsie Sherman Alco in her grandfather Leander Sherman's home in San Francisco. Dorel, an only child, having lost her mother in an automobile accident as a teenager, traveled the world with her father, a Christian Science practitioner, Director of the California State Board of Prisons, temporary Warden of San Quentin Prison, and world renowned expert in penology. Dorel attended high school and college at The Principia, in St. Louis, MO and Elsah, Ill. She did volunteer work in San Francisco during World War II after graduating from college in 1944.Dorel married Richard Lyman Abbott, a decorated Navy Lt. whom she had known in college, in 1946. They had three children, Carol, Stephen and Nancy. Over the course of Richard's career as a merchandising executive with Sears Roebuck, Sherman Clay Music Company, and Montgomery Ward they lived in seven cities and towns in California, Illinois and New York, including downtown Chicago and Manhattan. After Richard's retirement in 1980, they designed and built their dream home in Carmel Valley, CA. Richard and Dorel were happily married for 37 years. Following Richard's sudden death in 1983, Dorel moved to Asheville, NC in 1984 to be near her daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Hugh McCollum and two grandchildren. After living in North Asheville for 15 years, Dorel moved to Deerfield Retirement Community in 1999 where she continued to reside.Dorel enjoyed tennis, horseback riding, music, gardening, interior decorating, knitting and travel. She had walked through Tuscany, heli-hiked in British Columbia, been on a safari in Africa, white-water rafted down the Colorado and Middle Fork of the Salmon Rivers and traveled throughout Europe, Mexico, the Orient and South America. Dorel, a prolific correspondent, kept in touch with her relatives and many friends by sending letters, typed on her manual typewriter. As an active community volunteer, in Asheville, Dorel served on the boards of Deerfield's first Residents Council, Smith McDowell House and Museum, Children's Welfare League, Grove Arcade Public Market Foundation, UNCA Foundation, Asheville Bravo Concerts, Asheville Symphony, and First Church of Christ, Scientist. She was one of the founding members of College for Seniors (now OLLI) and served on its board. Dorel also served on the steering committee for the establishment of Pack Place and sang with the Asheville Choral Society. While a philanthropic supporter of many local and national organizations, she was particularly supportive of the ongoing effort to build a new Performing Arts Center, and music programs in Asheville, having come from a musical family. She was deeply disappointed when she was no longer able to attend the Asheville Symphony.Dorel is survived by her daughter Carol and son-in-law Hugh McCollum, Asheville, son Stephen Abbott, Boston, MA, and four grandchildren, Jennifer Keith, married to Jeff, Youngsville, NC; Reid McCollum, married to Alyson, Hinsdale, IL; Brittney and Tucker Abbott, Boston, MA. She is also survived by four great-grandchildren, Cooper (age 3) and Parker Keith ( 1); Ellis ( 4) and Tessa McCollum (2). She was preceded in death by her daughter Nancy in 1970 and husband Richard in 1983.The family is grateful for the care and guidance from Dr. Margaret Noel and her staff at Memory-Care. They are indebted to Paige Bishop and her hardworking staff in Simonds Health Care Center at Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community. The family is deeply grateful to the many dedicated Home Instead Senior Care companions who not only provided devoted care, but also sincere friendship. Particular appreciation goes to her most long-time superbly able and loving caregiver Thelma Sullivan, and more recently Louise Sheaffer and Cheryl Rawson Over the last few months, the family is grateful for the assistance and care from CarePartners Hospice, especially Macon Thoma and Music Therapist Cathleen Flynn.A celebration of Dorel's life will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at 3 PM in the St. Giles Chapel at Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community, 1617 Hendersonville Rd. Asheville, NC.In lieu of flowers, memorials my be sent to the Asheville Symphony, P.O. Box 2852, Asheville, NC 28802 www.ashevillesym phony.org; to Memory Care, 100 Far Horizons Lane, Asheville, NC 28803 www.memorycare.org; UNCA Foundation, One University Heights, CPO 3800, Asheville, NC 28804 or the Deerfield Healthcare Fund, 1617 Hendersonville Rd., Asheville, NC 28803.