Obituary of Abbie L. Hastings

Warrensburg: Abbie L. Hastings, 103, formally of Potter Brook Road, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, February 14, 2018 at the Warren Center in Queensbury. Born July 30, 1914 on Coffin Street in Glens Falls, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Satie (Whitemore) Davis. Her husband, Willis “Buster” Hastings died June 5, 1997 after 59 years of marriage. The couple were married on Thanksgiving Day. Abbie enjoyed her role as a wife and mother. She was a self taught baker, who was well known for her tasty wedding cakes, cookies, bread and rolls. Due to the 1930s depression she was forced to begin work to help her parents make ends meet. She worked at the Warrensburgh Shirt factory, as well as shirt factories in Glens Falls and Corinth. Many of her memories are contained in the two booklets she wrote: Grandmother’s Memories of Yesteryear and More Grandmother’s Memories of Yesteryear, as well as a third booklet which describes her and her sister Elda’s memories of working in the Warrensburgh Shirt factory: Stitches in Time. She had a wonderful memory and loved to recount her many stories of growing up in the North Country, much like her father used to do. Many of these were transcribed into the above mentioned books. She also was a life-long member of the Baptist Church and often remembered May Haight, the minister at that time, and her daughter. She was also a long time member of the Rebekahs, the sister organization to the Odd Fellows. Abbie loved her gardens and flowerbeds and was always canning or freezing a large amount of vegetables and fruits for her family. She enjoyed watching her sons develop their working sugar bush in back of the house and was often checking the syrup for quality, especially on pancakes! In leisure times (which were few) she loved to watch sports on TV, especially the Los Angeles Dodgers and golf. When she turned 70 she started playing golf and played for many years. Besides her husband, she is predeceased by her siblings; Hattie Larrow, Elda Monroe, Robert Davis, Clifton Davis, two granddaughters, Denise and Amanda Taylor and a great grandson, Nathan Willis Taylor. Mrs. Hastings is survived by four sons; Roscoe Hastings and his wife Ruth of Rochester, Don Hastings and his wife Dianne of Hadley, John Hastings and his wife Pam of Queensbury, Dave Hastings of Warrensburg and a daughter Jennie Taylor of Warrensburg, 9 grand children; Wendy Hastings, John Taylor, Beth Hayes, DeRonda Hastings, Deanne Hastings, Brittany Jenks, Sarah Wehnau, Erin Carver, David Hastings II, 9 great grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Friends may call on Abbie’s family from 5-7 pm on Saturday evening, Feb. 17 at the Alexander Funeral Home, Inc. 3809 Main Street, Warrensburg. A funeral service to celebrate her life will follow at 7 pm Saturday at the funeral home with the Reverend Aaron Spoonhour, Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Warrensburg officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Warrensburgh Museum of Local History or the charity of one’s choice.