Abby passed away peacefully on March 14 at the age of 94. She was born in Boston and grew up in New Hampshire. She lived most of her life by the sea as an active member of the Scituate community, later moving up to Damariscotta, Maine, then settling on Cape Cod. She had a deep love for her family and her home always had room for one more guest (and their dogs). She loved playing tennis, sailing, gardening, and enjoying the changing seasons on Ockway Bay. Her July Fourth parties were a beloved tradition, drawing friends and family from afar. She was an avid reader, progressive thinker, and engaged conversationalist. She loved a hearty laugh, a dry wit, and an even drier martini. Abby was a tireless caregiver as a nurse. She began her career at Boston City Hospital and worked in several Boston-area and Cape Cod facilities.
Her greatest strength was her ability to help patients and family members deal gracefully with difficult situations. Abby was extremely proud that all three of her daughters chose careers in medicine, Marcia and Maxine as nurses, and Susan as a doctor. Abby came from a family of Boston athletes. She was a successful amateur tennis player. Her son, David, played on the 1980 USA “Miracle on Ice” gold medal hockey team and for the Boston Bruins. Her father, Hal Janvrin, played for the Boston Red Sox straight out of Boston Latin School, where he was one of Boston’s greatest schoolboy athletes. Abby was preceded in death by her much-loved husbands, Henry Silk and Guilbert Wales.
She is survived by children, Maxine Tutor (Gerald), Marcia Kent, Susan Silk (Thomas Lincoln), and David Silk, and by stepchildren Steve Wales (Audrey), Doug Wales (Annie), and Lucy Kluckhohn-Jones. She is also survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who brought her great joy. A Celebration of Life is being arranged. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Heritage Museums & Gardens in Sandwich, MA or to the MSPCA.
Williamsburg Funeral Home in Haydenville was entrusted with Abigail's care.