Abbie E. (Lander) French

Abbie E. (Lander) French, 95, lifelong resident of Essex and wife of the late  Jerome C. French with whom she shared seventy-two years of marriage, died Tuesday August 8, 2017 in Brookdale Assisted Living Center, Hyannis.

Abbie was born in Ipswich March 28, 1922, daughter of the late William A. and Grace E. (Burnham) Lander of Essex where she attended public schools. Married in 1940 the Frenches made their home and raised their family on Southern Avenue. As a young woman she shucked clams and for several years worked at the former Hill’s Family Store in Ipswich.  For many years she and her late husband owned and operated the Conomo Lanes Bowling Alley in South Essex and later opened and operated Conomo Villa Variety and Sandwich Shop in South Essex.

Abbie enjoyed her time knitting, crocheting and most of all her special time with grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was a longtime member of the Essex United Methodist Church.

She is survived by a son, George E. French and his wife Ruth of Hyannis; two grandchildren, Michael T. French and his wife Michele of Essex, and Kelley J. Flattes and her husband Lawrence  of Hyannis; two great grandchildren, Aaron W. Steele USAF, Cannon AFB, Clovis, NM  and Brooke E. Steele  of Hyannis; a brother Francis Lander and his wife Nancy of Gloucester and several nieces and nephews. She was the mother of the late Gloria J. French formerly of Essex and sister of the late Roger Lander formerly of Essex and Estelle Stewart formerly of FL.

Her funeral service will be held 11 am graveside Monday, August 14, in the Spring Street Cemetery, Essex. Family and friends are respectfully welcomed. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in her name may be made to the Employee Appreciation Fund,  790 Falmouth Rd., Hyannis, MA 02601. Arrangements are under the direction of the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home of Ipswich.