“Anne Elizabeth Abood, née Kegerreis, passed away on January 12, 2019 at The Gardens in Port St. Lucie. She was born in Pennsylvania on March 8, 1929. A musical prodigy, she played the piano by sight at age 4, and perfected many other instruments, including her voice, as she grew up.
During her early college years she met her husband, Sheffield Thomas Abood, while he was running his tomato packing house in Pennsylvania. He hired her as his secretary, swept her off her feet, and a few months later, drove her across the country to Oakland CA with her mother, Kathleen in the back seat of the car. They married in October of 1949 in Oakland and then moved to Florida.
They had the first of four children the following November. Sheffield was a business icon in Florida, and is remembered in the area for bringing the first real shopping center to Fort Pierce, as well as many social programs for underprivileged children. Anne never liked the heat, so Sheffield took her and their family back to Pennsylvania each summer, where she ultimately received her music degree from College Misericorida with all four children in the audience.
Anne was a well known figure in the community, bringing music and culture to the area. During her life here, she owned and managed a couture clothing shop, Fleur de Lis, in Sheffield’s shopping center, which outfitted many ladies in Fort Pierce for special occasions. Anne and Sheffield attended John F. Kennedy’s inauguration, for which Fleur de Lis provided many stunning outfits.
In addition, Anne taught music at St. Edwards Academy in Vero Beach, and taught private music lessons. She was a dedicated member of St. Andrews Church and sang in the choir and played the organ there for many years. At Christmas, she sang the soprano part of Handel’s Messiah in Vero Beach.
Her most recent contribution was co-founding and directing the Treasure Coast Opera Company. For 25 years, the Opera Company brought sophisticated productions of famous operas and musicals to the region. In her earlier years, Anne sang the soprano roles in her clear and perfect voice.
She loved music in all forms, and wrote and published a book about Beethoven called “The Promethean” in her final years. She will be much missed by her four children: Mary Louise (Mimi) Drew, Sheffield Thomas Abood, Anne Elizabeth (Nancy) Grissom, and Kathleen Carol (Carol) Hilson, six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. A service to celebrate her life will be held at St. Andrews Episcopal Church Saturday January 19 at 2 pm.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the St. Andrews Church organ fund or Treasure Coast Hospice. The family expresses deep gratitude to the staff at the Gardens of Port St. Lucie and the Treasure Coast Hospice”. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Anne E. Abood please visit our Sympathy Store.
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