Willa D. Abelson
Willa D. Abelson, 82, passed away Wednesday, June 6, 2012, at her home in Urbana, IL. She had resided in New Haven from 1954-2009. Willa was born March 14, 1930 in Cleveland, Ohio to parents Gwendolyn Bale and William Dinwoodie. She married Robert Paul Abelson June 11, 1955. He preceded her in death July 13, 2005. Survivors include sons John Abelson (Kendall Rafter) of Urbana and Bill Abelson of Seattle; sisters Claire Roth (Art), Judy Bray (Bill) and Margaret Guarino (John), all of Cleveland; and grandson Benjamin Abelson-Rafter of Urbana. Willa earned a bachelor's degree from Baldwin-Wallace College, a master's degree from the University of Massachusetts and a doctorate from Harvard University. She worked as a clinical child psychologist at New Haven's Clifford Beers Clinic and the Yale Child Study Center. She then changed careers and worked as a special education reading tutor in New Haven schools. She was an avid reader of mystery novels and loved singing, piano, painting and the company of good friends. She was a longtime member of the Unitarian Society of New Haven, and later that of Urbana. She will be most remembered for her vitality, good humor, grace, wisdom and loving relationships. On Saturday, September 22, her ashes will be interred next to those of her husband in Grove Street Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. A memorial service will follow at 3:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Society of New Haven (700 Hartford Turnpike, Hamden, CT 06517). Friends of Willa are invited to contribute their remembrances during the service.
Claire, tho I haven’t seen Willa in several years, when we were neighbors many years ago I have fond memories of her introducing my daughter to .The Cat in The Hat.. Nancy Davis Nyhan-sister of Jean Davis Lang.
My husband Kenji Hakuta and I were so sorry to hear about Willa’s passing. Kenji was a junior faculty at Yale in the early 80s, and Willa and Bob were some of our favorite people. Willa was always fun to be with, interesting and interested, full of the joy of life. We both have many good memories of her. May she rest in peace with Bob.
Very saddened to learn of Willa’s death. Her book on the first 50 years of Clifford Beers Clinc was a great gift to the general public. I will greatly miss her. She was a most gracious and giving person.