Lois ABBETT 

It is with heavy heart that we announce the passing 
of Lois Abbett at 93 years old on November 25. She 
was born on June 29, 1916 in New York City to Harriet 
and John H. Ladd. She won the "Most Beautiful Baby" 
contest in NYC when she was 5 years old. The family 
then moved to Arizona when she was 6 years old. Later 
they relocated to Eagle Rock, CA where she and her 
brother Jack were raised and went to school. On 
December 24, 1941, she married her husband, William 
D. Abbett in Glendale, Ca. Their son, Dan was born in 
Glendale in 1948. She worked at Forest Lawn Cemetery 
as a secretary and later relocated to South Lake 
Tahoe, Ca. where she and her husband worked for 
Harvey Gross at The Wagon Wheel. The following 
Spring, they relocated to Ely, NV where their 
daughter, Vickie was born in 1953. After surviving a 
winter in Ely, they relocated to Reno, NV where she 
began her career as an icon in the restaurant 
business. Lois was a waitress at the Golden Hotel 
before it burned down, then to Harold's Club, where 
she hosted celebrities such as Vic Damone, Petula 
Clark, Diane Carroll and many more too numerous to 
mention. She then went to work for Jessie Beck when 
the Riverside opened as Restaurant & Banquet Manager. 
Upon the closing of the Riverside, she went to work 
for the Sundowner Hotel & Casino as restaurant and 
banquet manager until her retirement at the age of 
82. 

She is survived by her son, Dan Abbett of Reno, 
daughter, Vickie Hale, of Reno, grandchildren, K. P. 
of Carson City, Chelsea Cockman of Grass Valley, CA 
extended family members throughout CA and AZ and 
numerous great-grand children. Lois was preceded by 
her mother, father, husband & brother. 

She will be greatly missed by many who loved her and 
respected her. A special thank you to Dr. Ronald L. 
Smith and his staff for their excellent care of our 
Mom during this difficult time and also to the staff 
at St. Mary's. Cremation was handled by Truckee 
Meadows Cremation & Burial. No service will be held. 

Published in Reno Gazette-Journal on December 8, 2009