Marcia Lynn Abbate

"The best things are nearest: breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of God just before you.” -Robert Louis Stevenson

Marcia Lynn Stevenson Abbaté passed from this life into heaven on October 13, 2024. She was loved by many and will be terribly missed by all that had the privilege of knowing her. 

Marcia was born in Dayton, Ohio on July 23, 1942. She graduated from Ohio State University with B.S. and M.A. Degrees and stayed an avid Buckeyes fan to the very last days of her life. She is preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Martha Stevenson, and her husband, Sal Abbaté. Her sister, Bonnie James, resides in Columbus, Ohio. She cherished her family and loved being with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. 

Marcia had a full life, enfolding many people into her adventures along the way. On November 23, 1968, she married Salvatore Francesco Abbaté III in Apple Valley, California. They settled in Palmdale, California where Marcia lived and contributed to her church, the arts community, and environmental causes for over 50 years. During their 37 years of marriage, she and Sal raised four children, travelled all over the world, and shared many fabulous memories together with family and friends.

As a speech therapist and an artist, Marcia considered her book, Pictures, Please! to be one of her greatest professional accomplishments. She drew over 225 illustrations by hand for children with disabilities to help them in their articulation of sounds. After she retired as an Antelope Valley Speech Therapist and beloved 5th grade classroom teacher at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Marcia spent much of her time capturing the essence of life as a portrait charcoal artist. Her work has been featured in local, national, and international exhibits. In a 2012 interview Marcia said, “People and animals have always been my favorite subjects, and I love exploring little nuances and details necessary for a truly accurate and alive portrait. Plus, there is nothing like the satisfaction that comes from touching the hearts of people for whom they are intended.” This unique attentiveness and curiosity to those around her lead her to connect with people from all different walks of life.

Not only was she known for her creativity and her child-like playfulness, she also loved music. She volunteered as the youth choir director at St. Mary’s Church for many years and sang and played her guitar in several musical groups. In 1981 she founded the Desert Song Choir which still provides music for the mass at St. Junipero Serra Catholic Church in Palmdale. For 18 years she sang with Nuns for Fun as Sister Mary Moonbeam, performing all over Southern California. As Marcia was a direct descendant of Robert Louis Stevenson, she was especially proud and humbled to be a member of The Scottish Fiddlers, acommunity orchestra in Southern California which plays lively and energetic tunes of Scotland and Ireland. She was a vital, committed, and well-loved member and contributor of all these groups. 

When she was not drawing or singing or playing the guitar, she was hiking with dear friends and family (or anyone else who would go with her). She was a member of the Sierra Club and hiked weekly with a group of friends. They shared crazy adventures while hiking in Southern California on the manytrails in Wrightwood, through the Los Padres National Forest,down to the beaches in Southern California, and on the Pacific Crest Trail in snowshoes and boots (weather depending)! This past June, at 82 years old, she completed her annual trek up to the summit of Mt. Baden Powell. Marcia always had a camera in hand to photograph every beautiful piece of nature she encountered. She truly was at peace and filled with immense joy when she was in God’s creation.

We mourn the sudden loss of Marcia, caused by an automobile accident while visiting family in Portland, Oregon. Though saddened, we are comforted by the knowledge that she is now experiencing, firsthand, the love of God.

The funeral mass will be held at Saint Junipero Serra Catholic Church, 42121 60th St W, Lancaster, CA 93536 on Monday, December 16 at 10:00 am.