Erin Noel Abbott

Erin Noel Abbott

December 26, 1964 – April 26,2026

OLYMPIA, WA – Erin Noel Abbott, a devoted wife, daughter, and gifted horsewoman, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of strength, creativity, and love.

Life & Legacy Born on December 26, 1964, in Livermore, California, Erin’s name—meaning "Christmas Song" in Irish—perfectly captured her spirit. From her early years in Red Bluff to her time in Corvallis, she showed a vibrant personality and a love for fashion and animals. It was in Olympia, Washington, where she discovered her true passion: Arabian horses. She became an accomplished equestrian, forming a legendary bond with her horse, Tahib.

A woman of many talents, Erin simultaneously graduated from high school and beauty school. Her life took a romantic turn at a skating rink where she met Tim Abbott, a handsome young Airman. They were married on August 19, 1983, embarking on a 42-year journey as partners and best friends.

A Life of Adventure and Service as a military spouse, Erin navigated life with resilience. She supported Tim through his deployments and his decorated Air Force career, which included a Bronze Star for his service in Iraq. Together they lived in Germany and at Fort Ord, California, where Erin managed the Fort’s stables and continued her passion for rescuing and showing Arabian horses, including her beloved "Fire" and "Fiesta."

In her later years, Erin returned to Olympia. She was a dedicated member of the PEO organization and a highly respected manager at Coldwater Creek. A self-taught artisan, she excelled at floral arrangement, knitting, and sewing. She transformed her prairie home into a masterpiece, creating a garden worthy of a magazine spread with Mt. Rainier as her backdrop.

Family & Remembrance Erin was known for her "no-nonsense" practicality balanced by a kind and generous soul. She found joy in the theater, art, and playing dominoes and bunco with friends.

She is deeply missed and survived by her husband, Tim Abbott; her brother, Eric; and her "blessed mom," who remembers her as her dearest daughter and friend.

ERIN NOEL ABBOTT

MY DAUGHTER AND FRIEND

Cherished memories of my daughter bring comfort to an aching heart as I recall her resemblance to my mother at her birth, December 26, 1964 in Livermore, California. Her name meant Christmas Song in Irish. She was sweet tempered, yet independent, fearless, intelligent, strong, and a private soul.

I recall her first birthday, opening clothing gifts and trying to pull them over her head. She loved fashion. I see her at 3 years old, pushing her doll buggy filled with corgi pup, Caprice in doll dress, while Dan, our other corgi walked beside her as they circled the kitchen and living room in Red Bluff, California.

In Corvallis, she decided ballet was not her dream after all. It was in Olympia, Washington that she found her passion for Arabian horses and began riding lessons. What joy there was in seeing her become an excellent horse woman. She developed a special bond with Tahib, a half/Arab gelding and they often played tag in the arena.

Erin eventually discovered roller skating and aimed at speed skating or figure skating. She also began after high school classes learning Beauty School hair and cosmetic techniques. She graduated both schools simultaneously.

It was at the skating rink that she met a handsome young Airman and brought him home for dinner. She and Tim Abbott were married August 19, 1983. She was such a lovely bride. They made a quite handsome couple.

Tim was immediately transferred to Germany and within 3 months I was seeing her off to join him. Such hopes, such fears, such admiration all in one bundle of nerves for the both of us.

They lived off base, she worked the jewelry counter at the PX, adopted a German Cocker Spaniel and coped. We joined them for a fabulous visit in 1985. They came home near the end of 1986, transferring to Fort Ord, California. It was there she obtained the Arabian horse of her dreams. She and Fire headed for the show ring and trail rides. She next rescued another Arab, Fiesta. Fiesta produced a fine paint Arab foal. Suddenly they were transferred to Fort Hood, Texas. No room for 3 horses, so the foal was placed behind. Erin took on management of the Fort’s stables, while Tim fought in wars all over the world.

I enjoyed visits with Erin in Austin, shopping and eating Mexican food. She taught herself to arrange flowers, knit, embroider, sew, exercising her extensive creative talents. Tim finally returned safely from Iraq to receive a Bronze Star and retire from the Air Force. At that time they came back to Olympia to be with me in my retirement.

The past twenty three years have whizzed by. Tim began a new career as a postal worker. Erin joined me in the PEO organization, serving as officers, hosting luncheons, and working fund raisers. She worked for Coldwater Creek, selling and managing as one their most sought after assistants, finally retiring to manage her home, acreage and animals. She cared for and welcomed all critters. She landscaped their prairie yard into a Home & Garden photo shoot with a Mt. Rainier back drop.

Erin was smart, capable, independent, practical and no nonsense. She remained a very private person who loved the theater, movies, flowers, playing dominoes and bunco with friends and family, art collections, dog training and music. She was a kind, generous, loving soul that made herself available to all who needed her. She and Tim shared 42 adventurous years as mates and partners.

She is so dearly loved and missed. By her husband Tim, her brother Eric, family and friends and me...her blessed mom.