Obituary
Karen Lesley Abbott

RALEIGH - The memorial service celebrating the life of Karen Lesley Abbott, 57, will be held at Noon on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at the Longleaf Shelter #4 of Lake Johnson Park in Raleigh NC (additional details below). Visitation will immediately follow the service with friends and family encouraged to share a tribute, bring refreshments, and stay afterwards to celebrate Karen’s life. Karen passed on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. Born January 21, 1968 in Atlanta GA with her brother Keith, Karen was the unexpected tiny gift to a new mother (and twin herself) mistakenly told she’d only be having one really big baby that day. While Karen always maintained her gracefully small stature as her brother continued to grow, she was mighty in force and pursued life with intention, humor and quick wit. Karen grew up in Columbia SC where she attended Dreher High School with her twin, and had talents and hobbies that she quietly kept to herself. She played Greensleeves flawlessly and naturally on the piano. She was an impressive church youth basketball point guard. She baked and decorated amazing cakes for birthday parties and special events. She read classic novels (Jane Austen was her favorite author) and would wear out her library card. She taught her little sister how to apply makeup, and everyone else how to make her delicious fudge, ensuring they learned how to infuse every batch with love and laughter. She crocheted baby blankets for her sons and nephews, and stitched scarves for her sisters. She framed her needlepoint art as presents. She made the most delicious biscuits and friendship bread. And many a child in need of love and a place to stay found themselves at Karen’s breakfast table. When she had little else to offer, Karen gave the gift of her time to the people she cared about, and to people who simply needed to know they mattered to someone. She rescued every cat that crossed her path. And she was deeply in love with Labrasca’s Pizza and Groucho’s Deli sandwiches, both of Columbia SC (if you know, you know). And of all the ways Karen was known - sister, aunt, cousin, friend, daughter, coworker, neighbor, baker, quiltmaker, cake decorator, waitress, pianist, caregiver, cat lover, cheerleader, and on and on - her most treasured label was “Mom.” Karen’s greatest joy was by far her two sons, Noah and Nick. Watching them become who they were meant to be, men she genuinely admired, was the greatest gift she ever received. Karen was the first mom to don a football jersey, a party planner cape, and an attitude in support and defense of her boys. Karen loved her family and took every opportunity to be present and engaged. Beach trips, mountain trips, lake trips, surprise visits - if you asked her to be there, she and her boys came. Every time. Karen is survived by her two sons, Noah Fisher Robinson and Nicholas (Nick) Walton Robinson both of Raleigh NC, along with her sisters Julie Abbott Hayne (Adams) and Deanna Marie Rudnick (Kelly), and her nieces and nephews whom she adored: Boyd, Riley, Gabriela, Joe, Jason, Sarah and Savannah. Karen is predeceased by her mother Martha Jane Jernigan, father Paul Leslie Abbott, twin brother Keith Paul Abbott, and nephew Taylor. Karen will be missed by all who knew and loved her, no one more so than Noah and Nick. Memorial Service Details: Noon Sunday, November 9th at Longleaf Shelter #4 of Lake Johnson Park in Raleigh NC. Parking is closest at the South Parking Lot near 5041 Avent Ferry Road 27606. Alternate parking 0.3m across the bridge with restroom facilities at the Waterfront Center, 4601 Avent Ferry Road 27606. The family would like to thank everyone for their loving support. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alley Cats and Angels, Advocates for Forgotten Felines dedicated to improving the lives of the stray, abandoned, and feral cats within the Triangle area. https://alleycatsandangels.org/our-wish-list/