Moraga

It is with deep sorrow the family of Jinx Justice Abbott announces she passed away peacefully with family by her side on August 3rd in Spanish Springs, Nevada. Jinx was a remarkable woman, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother and a dear friend to many.

Jinx was born to Lawrence and Ann Shesgreen in Los Angeles. Growing up she was quite athletic and loved to play sports, especially basketball, baseball and softball. While attending Benjamin Franklin High School in Highland Park, Jinx served as the president of the Girls Athletic Council. Upon graduating from high school, she went off toUCLA. The Los Angeles PD hired Jinx as a secretary where she was assigned first to the Bunco Squad and then the Homicide Division.

Jinx met Richard (Dick) Justice in 1950 and they married in 1951. Soon afterwards, the newlyweds relocated to San Francisco, where they welcomed their first two boys. Richard was hired by Henry Kaiser and subsequently transferred to Ravenswood, West Virginia to open the first aluminum plant in the Ohio Valley. Jinx and Dick welcomed two more boys into the family while in Ravenswood. In 1961, Kaiser transferred Dick back to Oakland and the delighted couple moved back to California and settled in Moraga. A fifth son came a few years later.

Jinx, a devout Catholic, soon entrenched the Justice family in St Perpetua parish where Jinx was immersed in assisting the youth faith formation ministry, serving as principal for three years.

Tragically, Dick Justice died suddenly in 1972, leaving behind a grieving wife with five sons. Realizing she needed to return to the workforce, Jinx enrolled in anew program at Diablo Valley College, Professional Office Training that assisted people who had away from work for years. After completing the course, DVC promptly brought her on board as secretary for the Life Sciences Division in 1973, retiring in 1989.

In 1974, Jinx married Richard (Dick) Abbott. Over the next many years, the couple enjoyed many trips to Lake Tahoe staying at the cabin Dick Abbott built. Four of their six sons called the cabin home over the years. As soon as Jinx retired, she and Dick enjoyed traveling around the US, Canada and Europe with many friends, especially Ireland to visit her family roots. For over twenty years, Dick and Jinx Abbott were one of four couples who gathered together monthly to host the parish pastors to Saturday dinner. In her senior years, Jinx spent over 20 years volunteering at the Friendly Place in Oakland, a center where the homeless can find shelter and assistance, even serving as President for a time.

Jinx is survived by her sons Ed Justice (Linda) of Sun Valley, Nevada, John (Debbie) Justice of Santa Cruz and daughter-in-law Deuslene Justice of Alameda, five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

She was predeceased by husbands Richard Justice and Richard Abbott, and sons Jim, Larry and Tim Justice and step-son Doug Abbott.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, September 7, at 10:30 am, St. Perpetua Catholic Church, 2454 Hamlin Rd., Lafayette. If so desired, contributions may be made to the National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability (nchpad.org).