Even after 100 years, there was still time for new experiences.
Helen Abbott had never been one to shy away from adventure. She had lived a full and joyous life, bursting at the seams with service, faith and compassion. She had traveled to all 50 states, rode motorcycles, worked as a nurse and gave decades of her life to the Red Cross. She still lived in her own home, and had only recently stopped driving herself.
So, when on the eve of her 100th birthday, she was offered a chance to try sushi, she thought, “Why not?”
The story was one of many circulating around during the massive party for Abbott at her Greenwood home on Thursday. Friends, family and surprise guests filled her front yard, feting the birthday girl with well-wishes and a round of “Happy Birthday.”
Abbott sat at the center of it all, her smile beaming as visitors came one after another. She was honored by Greenwood police and firefighters, as well as given awards from Gov. Eric Holcomb, Sen. Todd Young and Mayor Mark Myers, who stopped to shake her hand in person.
She couldn’t say enough about all that everyone had done for her.
“It’s really nice. I’m happy about it,” she said. “All of the experiences I’ve had, traveling and with friends. I’m very thankful for them.”
Abbott was born on Aug. 17, 1923, in Putnam County. After high school, she pursued a career in nursing, earning her degree from the Methodist School of Nursing in Indianapolis in 1946.
Two years later, she married her husband Leo, and they were married for nearly 60 years. They had a son, GB, in 1951, and around the same time, Abbott began her career with the Red Cross as a home nursing course instructor.
She devoted more than 40 years to the Red Cross, eventually becoming director of nursing for the organization. Though she retired in 1980, she and Leo continued to volunteer for the Red Cross for many years. In 1986, she portrayed Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, in the 500 Festival Parade and the Red Cross National Convention. She received the Rose Sussman Award in 1996 — the highest honor a Red Cross volunteer can receive.
But while her work and volunteer service were a large part of her life, Abbott found time for a wealth of other interests and experiences. She and Leo traveled extensively, making a pledge to hit all 50 states in their lifetimes. Though Leo died before they could complete their goal, Abbott reached it herself after traveling to Alaska in 2016 and Hawaii in 2018.
Despite going all over the United States, and into Canada and Mexico, there were too many good experiences for her to pick a favorite place.
“I really can’t say, because I like them all so much,” she said.
At home, Abbott loved to sew, knit, hunt mushrooms and follow Indy Car racing. She and Leo volunteered for years at the Indianapolis 500. She belonged to Greenwood United Methodist Church, was a 60-year member of the Philanthropic Educational Organization and an 82-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star.
In addition to her son GB, she has four grandsons and seven great-grandchildren.
Abbott’s family and a small army of friends were on hand Thursday during the open house-style party. A pink Harley-Davidson motorcycle belonging to Julie Waugh, an employee of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, had been set up in the front yard, along with a huge yard sign.
She couldn’t stop laughing as visitors stopped by one after another. When the Greenwood Fire Department engine pulled up with flashing lights, her eyes lit up, and she giggled as Fire Marshal Tracy Rumble proclaimed that he had heard there was a “fire hazard” around, gesturing to the birthday cake and its 100 candles.
For her, the event was a fitting way to celebrate her centennial birthday. And she can’t wait for her 101st.
“It’s been a long time, but I’ve enjoyed every minute of it,” she said. “It’s been a pleasure. I’m just thankful.”
