Latest news with #DeanAbbott
CBS News
27-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
From the Great Depression to 105: A life celebrated in Mineral Wells
Dean Abbott has lived through 19 presidents, two world wars and more than a century of change — and on her 105th birthday, the city of Mineral Wells made sure she knew just how much she's appreciated. Dean Abbott CBS News Texas The mayor officially declared May 26, 2025, as "Dean Abbott Day" in honor of the centenarian, who was born in 1920 in Arkansas and moved to Texas at age 3. "I don't know, I'm just getting old," Abbott said with a laugh while flipping through old photos and memories. A family of eight Abbott is the last surviving sibling of eight children. Dean Abbott "I had six sisters and one brother," she said. "And I'm the only one left. And I'm the only one that ever reached a hundred. I just keep going. I'm not going to give up." She got married during her senior year of high school. Her first husband found work helping to build the Possum Kingdom Lake dam, one of the major public works projects launched during the Great Depression to boost employment. Early years in tents "We just took off to Mineral Wells, got a tent," Abbott said. "Everybody was just living in tents. So it was just like camping out. It was fun. We had a lot of fun." The couple had three children, but the marriage eventually ended. To support her young family, Abbott worked a variety of jobs — from beauty services to farming. "I gave them perms and would arch your eyebrows and I'd do their fingernails," she said. "And I babysat. And then I also chopped cotton and picked cotton." A new home, new life Dean Abbott She later remarried, and in 1952 the couple moved into a home in Mineral Wells. Abbott said it felt like luxury to have indoor plumbing and electricity. She still lives in that same house today. "Well, I live alone," she said. "I do all my housework. I do my laundry. I cook." Abbott worked in factories for nearly 40 years before retiring at age 65. Since then, she's focused on quieter pleasures: reading, sewing and spending time with her growing family — which now includes seven grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and counting. Legacy through family and food Dean Abbott "I have had three great-great-grandchildren this year," she said proudly. She's also tried to pass on her legacy through cooking. "I've written down my recipes," she said, smiling. "I asked one of my grandsons what he thought of my cookbook. He said, 'Well, I can't read it.' I said, what do you mean you can't read? 'Well, I don't read cursive. They don't teach you.' And I said, well, I can't type." The secret to longevity As for the secret to a long life? "Hard work and clean living," Abbott said. "You don't drink, smoke or cuss… and I was like, I do that a little bit." Still, she believes there may be something more at work. "I don't know," she said. "God, he's not through with me yet, I guess." And so, with faith and laughter — and 105 candles — Dean Abbott continues to inspire a town that now celebrates her not just as a neighbor, but as a living piece of history.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Darlington hospital drops in to help support the air ambulance - raising £10k
A CAMPAIGN by hospital staff to support the Great North Air Ambulance has really taken off. Woodlands Hospital, in Darlington, chose the air ambulance as its charity of the year for 2024 and raised £10,720 with a range of activities, including sponsorship of the charity ball, and Easter and Christmas fundraising extravaganzas. The cheque was handed over to the life-saving charity during a celebration day for its commercial partners. Woodlands, part of Circle Health Group, is now one of GNAA's commercial partners, with the hospital's logo displayed on the back of a critical care response vehicle for a year. (Image: Woodlands Hospital) The hospital's long-serving Executive Director, Debbie Dobbs, said: 'The Great North Air Ambulance carries out priceless work in our region and, as a hospital embedded in the local community, it is a charity which aligns with our own values. (Image: Woodlands Hospital)Recommended reading: Darlington dad praises building society for support of childhood cancer research First look at £13m County Durham housing development creating 30 jobs Concerns over Darlington's child poverty "shame" affecting hundreds of families 'Our staff really embraced the charity and we are all thrilled to have broken the £10,000 mark for such a great cause.' During the celebration day, supporters were thanked by Dean Abbott, whose life was saved by the air ambulance after a motorcycle accident in August 2010. The hospital staff have chosen St Teresa's Hospice as their charity for 2025.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Darlington hospital drops in to help support the air ambulance - raising £10k
A CAMPAIGN by hospital staff to support the Great North Air Ambulance has really taken off. Woodlands Hospital, in Darlington, chose the air ambulance as its charity of the year for 2024 and raised £10,720 with a range of activities, including sponsorship of the charity ball, and Easter and Christmas fundraising extravaganzas. The cheque was handed over to the life-saving charity during a celebration day for its commercial partners. Woodlands, part of Circle Health Group, is now one of GNAA's commercial partners, with the hospital's logo displayed on the back of a critical care response vehicle for a year. (Image: Woodlands Hospital) The hospital's long-serving Executive Director, Debbie Dobbs, said: 'The Great North Air Ambulance carries out priceless work in our region and, as a hospital embedded in the local community, it is a charity which aligns with our own values. (Image: Woodlands Hospital)Recommended reading: Darlington dad praises building society for support of childhood cancer research First look at £13m County Durham housing development creating 30 jobs Concerns over Darlington's child poverty "shame" affecting hundreds of families 'Our staff really embraced the charity and we are all thrilled to have broken the £10,000 mark for such a great cause.' During the celebration day, supporters were thanked by Dean Abbott, whose life was saved by the air ambulance after a motorcycle accident in August 2010. The hospital staff have chosen St Teresa's Hospice as their charity for 2025.
