Abby Jensen

Abby was born in Cadillac, Michigan to parents, Ernie and Janet Edwards. She was the second eldest of 4 girls. She grew up in Lake City, Michigan where she graduated from Lake City High School. After graduating from High School, Abby attended Michigan State University where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education and later, her Master’s Degree at Central Michigan University.

Abby taught middle and Jr. High School English for several years in Frankfort, Michigan , as well as coached basketball and several other extra-curricular activities. She enjoyed involvement in many community activities especially, downhill and cross-country skiing and singing in the Community Chorus. She was a member of the Frankfort Methodist Church where she directed the children’s choir.

Abby moved to Houston, TX in 1981 where she taught English at Hambrick Jr. High School in the Aldine School District.

While living in Houston, she met Don Jensen, whom she married in 1982. Don, being a Continental Airline Pilot, took a leave of absence to complete his 20 year military career in the Navy at Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. Abby accompanied him to Puerto Rico where she taught school for the Greater Antilles Islands School System, Dept of the Navy for five years. Abby received the exemplary teaching award for exceptional performance the last two years while teaching in Puerto Rico.

After her husband, Don retired from the Navy, they moved to The Woodlands, TX, a suburb of Houston, so Don could resume his job with Continental Airlines. Although Abby loved teaching and spending time with children, she decided to retire from teaching and pursue other interests as well.

Abby worked for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, KSI Shading Company, and Detailed Attention, a non-profit internet business, started by her husband, to promote non-profit businesses in The Woodlands. She enjoyed sports, especially tennis, where she became actively involved in The Woodlands Women’s Tennis Association and served on the board in various positions including membership chairman and President for two years. She was actively involved in many tournaments to help raise money for local charities, Make-A-Wish, and chaired the USTA Satellite Tournament Housing Committee. Besides tennis tournaments, Abby worked on the PGA Shell Houston Open Golf Ladies Committee for several years as both a scorer and volunteer organizer.

Abby was a serial blood donor and donated over 55 gallons of blood. She was active on The Woodlands Methodist Church blood donation team where she was a member, and also enjoyed working as a greeter on Sunday mornings. Other activities Abby enjoyed included being a Co-Woodlands Watch coordinator, a member of the World Council Affairs Organization, a member of the Sheriff’s Alumni Association and volunteering at The Woodlands Memorial Hermann Hospital.

Besides volunteering, Abby enjoyed tennis, watching baseball, basketball games, scuba diving, traveling, and swimming in the Michigan lakes.

Abby was preceded in death by her parents, Janet and Ernie Edwards, sister, Cindy Moore, brother-in-law, Jim Filak, as well as many beloved aunts and uncles.

Abby is survived by her husband, Don, step daughters, Shaleigh (Jerry) Mish, Amy Kelly (John) Kelly, granddaughters, Kylie Mish, Skylar and Rylee Kelly. Sisters, Christine Filak, (Cadillac. MI), Ann (Keith) VanderWal (Williamstown, VA). She is also survived by her sisters’ wonderful children and their families, whom she loved very much.

In Lieu of flowers, contributions in Memory of Abby, may be directed to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital Research, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929.

Notifications off donations: Donald Jensen, 23 Mayfair Grove Ct., The Woodlands, TX 77381