Obituary of Sophie Hartshorne Abel

ABEL, Sophie Hartshorne

June 24, 1924 - Guysborough, Nova Scotia

October 2, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta

Mrs. Sophie Hartshorne Abel died peacefully on Sunday, October 2, 2022, in Calgary, AB, Canada, from a failing heart while in the care of her loving children. Even though these are days of sorrow, they are also days of rejoicing because of the faithful Christian life she lived these many years. We are sure that she has already heard the Master say, “Well done, good and faithful servant; Enter into the joy of the Lord.”

Sophie was born June 24, 1924, in Guysborough, Nova Scotia, Canada, to Heber and Bertha Keay. Her family homesteaded a large farm still worked today by her extended family. Before her mother’s death, when she was 10, she had five siblings (Heber, Eva, Bill, Jack, and Emma). After the death of her mother, her father married again (Sadie) and added two more brothers to the family (Roger and Harold/Bud). All of her siblings preceded her in death.

After high school, she attended Canadian Nazarene College in Red Deer, AB. She then returned to High Prairie, where she met the Nazarene minister, Rev. Stewart Abel. They married on June 26, 1944, and remained loving companions and servants of God together for the next 63 years until Stewart’s death at 93 in 2007.

Sophie’s calling was to be a pastor’s wife. Over nearly seven decades, she served with Stewart in ministry in every capacity imaginable. She was wholly and completely part of a team ministry – running Sunday school and youth groups, entertaining multitudes, driving a school bus to pick up children for church, visiting the sick and the needy, and even preaching when Stewart could not do so. She did all this while raising a family of four children, keeping an immaculate house, and being an astounding cook. Stewart could not have accomplished all he did without Sophie’s help. Together they ministered in Alberta, Saskatchewan, BC, and in the USA in Iowa and Illinois. In 1980 when Stewart “retired” they spent the next 20 years in interim ministry positions in Lacombe, Minneapolis, and Calgary. 

Shortly before Stewart’s 90th birthday, his body began to wear out, and he was too tired to support their shared calling. He entered Newport Harbour Care Center in Calgary. Sophie immediately sold their home and moved into Chartwell Senior Living Center, connected by a skyway to Stewart’s room so she could be near him. She was with him every day. Together, they decided to continue their ministry, gathering residents for Sunday services in the tiny nursing home chapel and visiting those in need. Soon the congregation outgrew the chapel and moved to a larger multipurpose room. Sophie led the services, and they took turns preaching. Sophie started prayer meetings and became the “Welcome Wagon” lady for Chartwell Senior Living Center. 

After a series of small strokes made it impossible for Stewart to continue in ministry, Sophie took it up. Each Sunday, she would lead the service and preach while Stewart attended the services, where he beamed with pride and love. When Stewart passed away in 2007, Sophie continued the ministry in the nursing home, faithfully holding services, preaching each Sunday, and visiting those in need. She also began services and prayer meetings in her senior living center, continuing this work until she was 95 years old. She continued to attend those same services until she entered the hospital for a final time.

Sophie Abel has gone for her eternal rest in the arms of the Lord she loved so dearly. We are thankful to God for the exemplary life she lived among us. Her four children survive her; Lois Abel-Priester (Butch) of Minneapolis, Minnesota, George Abel (Lesley) of Calgary, Mavis Gibson (John Prevas) of Belleair, Florida, and Janis Abel (Kevin McDonald) of Calgary. Sophie was blessed with seven grandchildren, Heather, Elisa, William, Scott, Molly, Neal, and Jill; and seven great-grandchildren. Her legacy of devotion to her God and service to others will live on through her family.

A Viewing will be held at Skyview Community Church of the Nazarene (9685 Harvest Hills Blvd. NW, Calgary, AB) on October 8, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. Funeral Services to follow at 10:00 a.m. Reception to follow at the Church from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Graveside Service to follow at Fairview Cemetery. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

Click Here to View Sophie Abel's Memorial Card

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