Dawn Marie Abel

Canastota- Dawn Marie (Douglass) Abel, 59, of Gee Road, wife of Roy, passed away at her residence, while surrounded by the loving care of her husband and family, on Friday, January 20, 2023, after a fourteen-year heroic battle with cancer.

Dawn was born in Gloversville, NY, on December 28, 1963, a daughter of David A. and Deanne Burke Douglass. Her early life was spent in the Gloversville area, before moving to West Leyden and finally Boonville, where she grew up. While living in West Leyden, Dawn attended elementary school, later graduating from Adirondack Central School, Boonville, with the Class of 1982. Afterwards, Dawn attended Herkimer County Community College, where she played on the Soccer team.

Dawn’s lifelong trait of possessing great strength and determination found its roots in her athletic abilities. She was a pioneer in the sport of baseball, being one of the first females to play Little League Baseball in the northern New York region and went on to achieve the status of membership on the first Boys All Star Little League Team playing the position of shortstop.

Throughout her school years, Dawn excelled at athletics, leading the Adirondack girls’ Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball and Softball Teams. Her love and excellence in sports continued after her high school years by passing on her knowledge of sports by coaching at local schools and participating in adult league softball and bowling teams.

On January 16, 1993, Dawn was united in marriage with Roy Abel, at the Boonville United Methodist Church. Afterwards the couple lived in Boonville, before moving to their present home near Canastota. For many years Dawn was employed as a dental assistant in dental offices in central New York.

Dawn possessed a great love from her childhood adventures of camping and snowmobiling. Later she and Roy and their family spent many happy occasions camping and snowmobiling throughout New York state.

In addition to her husband of thirty years, Roy, Dawn is survived by her children, son, Tyler Abel (Katy Harp), Canastota and daughter, Traci Abel, Canastota; her father and stepmother, David A. and Donna Douglass, Boonville. She was predeceased by her mother, Deanne Burke Douglass, on September 24, 1989, and by her sister, Denell Douglass, on August 7, 2021. Also surviving is a sister, Donna Austin (Alan), Boonville and a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Lorry (Jay) Christensen; nieces and nephews, Jessica, JD, Lynn, David, Cory and James and Dawn’s lifelong and special friend who was also like a sister, Hope Ann LoPresti. She was predeceased by her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Richard and Carol Abel. She is also survived by her loving canine companion, Maddy.

A service of memories will be Wednesday, at 6:00 P.M. at Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville, where visitation hours are also Wednesday from 3-6 P.M. at the funeral home. Interment will be in Boonville Cemetery in the spring. In view of Dawn’s love of her pet dog, Maddy and her love for animals, memorial contributions may be made to an area humane society of your choice.

Contributions of food may be taken to the Harland J. Hennessey V.F.W. on Park Avenue in Boonville, on Wednesday from 4:00 P.M. on.