“This is the only life you are certain of, and it’s important to live this life to the fullest. How do you go about that? Begin where you are. Use what you have at hand. Have faith in the goodness of people, and the valuable lessons hidden in everything that happens. Give the world the best you have in you!” — Mary Abele.
Mary Seton Abele, 87, whose life was dedicated to providing compassion and spiritual guidance, passed away peacefully at noon on October 11 at Wake Robin in Shelburne, Vt., where she had lived for the past eight years. She was a gentle yet fierce protector of what she held dear. She cherished family, community, nature and spirit. She will be remembered for her fascination with the intersection of nature and spirituality; her clever and humorous play on words; her love of tennis, swimming in Lake Champlain, cookies, singing and music, mystery novels, and biographies; and her devotion to her family and dear friends.
Born in Boston and raised in Concord, Mass., Mary attended Concord Academy, Winsor School, Wellesley and Boston University, where she made lifelong friends. She later got her master’s in divinity at Andover Newton Theological, feeding her spiritual curiosity. She married her husband, John, in 1964 and went on to have two sons and a daughter, many beloved dogs, and one polydactyl cat. As a parent, she used her skills and creativity for such things as helping to start a preschool and cowriting a musical for one of her kids’ schools. While her kids were still in school, she also learned to practice reiki healing, further fueling her spiritual journey, all while volunteering by driving cancer patients, and singing in her church choir.
Throughout her years, tennis was a passion of hers, both as a player and an avid viewer (particularly of her favorite Roger Federer). Lake Champlain, especially Providence Island, was her happy place where she would start every morning with a swim. She had many cherished cousins in the U.S. and in Europe, but her close family and dear friends anchored her and provided her with constant joy.
After she and John settled in Vermont as empty nesters, she channeled her passion and training in spirituality into founding and developing All Souls Interfaith Gathering. Her vision and mission as the pastor was to encourage people to find heartfelt connection to the divine on their own terms. She advocated that a personal belief system that made sense to the believer was the only meaningful way to connect with the divine.
Despite having a stroke that paralyzed the left side of her body for the last eight years of her life, she somehow maintained a remarkably positive attitude. Her kindness, compassion and humor earned her much respect and love from visitors and Wake Robin staff alike.
She will be deeply missed by her husband, John; her children, Chris (Jen), Alex (Heather) and Jeneye (Eric); and her 11 grandchildren, as well as her extended family and many dear friends.
There are plans for a memorial service to take place in Shelburne, Vt., the Saturday after Thanksgiving. More details to come. It was important to Mary that people know about the dangers of strokes. In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting the American Stroke Association in honor of her wish.