Obituary of Regina (Jean) Abel

Regina (Jean) Mary Abel, 86, passed away on Saturday, May 1, 2021, at Crestview Specialty Care in West Branch, Iowa with her husband and family at her bedside.  

Visitation will be 4 -7 pm on Tuesday, May 4, at Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Branch.  Burial will be 10 AM Wednesday, May 5th, in St. Bridget’s Cemetery, Nolan Settlement, rural Solon.  Online condolences may be made to the family at www.hendersonbarkerfuneralhome.com.  In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Crestview Specialty Care, in West Branch, in memory of Jean Abel. 

Regina Mary was born on April 23, 1935, the daughter of Francis and Kathryn (Barry) Cahill. She was a graduate of West Branch High School.  Regina attended Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Iowa City.  She was united in marriage to Francis Abel on October 8, 1957 at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Nolan Settlement. Jean was a Registered Nurse at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City and a local physician practice in West Branch for many years.  Jean also owned a craft shop which she opened in her basement prior to moving the business to Iowa City with her lifelong friend, Audrey Rex. She later attended Des Moines Area Community College and received an Associate Degree in Nursing Home Administration.  Jean was the Administrator of Crestview Care Center in West Branch, a Regional Vice President and a travelling Nurse Consultant for Care Initiatives prior to her retirement.

Jean most enjoyed spending time with her family and her grandchildren.  She enjoyed doing crafts throughout her life and was an excellent cook and baker.  Her meals were central to family get- togethers and holidays.  Jean also enjoyed flower gardening and people watching disguised as bird watching, although she loved to watch the birds at her feeders, too. 

Jean is survived by her husband, Francis, of West Branch and five children:  Kim (Dan) Salm of Iowa City; Lisa (William Wallace) of Westchester, Illinois; Tom of West Branch; Chris of West Branch; Andrea (John Walsh) of West Branch and 5 grandchildren: Ben and Zach Thompson, Will Tidrick; Lauren and Kyla Salm. Also surviving Jean is her sister, Patricia (Raymond) Abel of Burlington, Iowa.  Jean was preceded in death by her parents and her two brothers, Jack and Francis (Bud) Cahill.