Ella Gipson Abe

Palmer resident Ella Gipson Abe, 76, died Jan. 19, 2011, at her home. Her family was with her. She was born Nov. 28, 1934, in Edmonson County, Ky., to the late Walter and Lillie Mae Elmore Gipson.

If a person’s wealth can be measured in the joy bought to others and the love of friends and family, Ella Abe died a wealthy woman.

Ella came to Alaska in the early 1970s and Alaska became not only her home, but a part of her. She was thrilled to show her home by air, land and sea to visiting friends and family. Ella loved to see the buds bursting in the spring, but to her, the most awe-inspiring sights were the frosted branches of winter.

She is survived by daughter, Pamela F. Compton of Palmer; sons, W. David Vincent of Palmer and Dean C. Vincent (Lori) of Sellersberg, Ind.; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; brothers, Lester of Louisville, Ky., Lawrence of Elizabethtown, Ky., Albert of Sweeden, Ky., and Robert Earl Gipson of La Grange, Ky.; sisters, Betty Lee Basham and Joyce Weber, both of Sweeden, Ky.

“We will miss her spirit, bright smile, laughter and genuine heart,” her family wrote.