Abbe Kay McDaniel

Click Here to View Tribute Video

Abbe Kay McDaniel

LAYTON - Abbe was born in Albuquerque New Mexico April 1st, 1966 to George and Sally Wynn where she lived until the age of 12, when she moved with her family to Saguache, Colorado.

In rural Saguache Abbe thrived living the country lifestyle and enjoyed horseback riding and raising lambs. She attended Mountain Valley High School where she graduated salutatorian in 1983. It was during her years in High School that she met her future husband Michael McDaniel. After graduation Abbe attended College at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins Colorado where she took a class that would lead to her lifelong passion of floral design.

In 1987 Abbe moved to Salida with her golden retriever Bailey to be with her fiancAC. and began work in the Salida Flower Shop. The owners, Dick and Janet Murphy took Abbe under their wing and into their hearts. Abbe soon found she had a second family in the Murphy''s who treated her like the daughter they never had.

On December 31st, 1988 Michael and Abbe were married in a log cabin in Salida. With friends and family, they celebrated in country fashion a bond that would last 21 years.

In 1991 the McDaniels began a new adventure as Mike found work in Alaska. Abbe was able to continue her carrier in floral design at the Eagle River Safeway flower shop. In typical fashion Abbe soon had many friends and found great enjoyment there. On July 12, 1993 Abbe and Mike welcomed their beautiful daughter Sally Morgan McDaniel and 4 years later on July 11, 1997 her "best boy", Jarred Michael McDaniel came into their lives.

Although Abbe and Mike were happy together with their little family and circle of friends in Alaska they decided that it was time to return to the "lower 48". In the summer of 1998 they made the long move to Layton Utah. Once established in Layton Abbe went to work for the Window Box Flower Shop, and for the next ten years she continued to learn more about the industry and become an accomplished floral designer. Abbe considered everyone at the Window Box an extension of her family.

Abbe and her family found enjoyment in the opportunity to travel and explore the sights and attractions of the country, especially Maui. The beautiful beaches and warm waters helped rejuvenate her soul.

Never one to shy away from a challenge Abbe found many new outlets for her energy, from home remodeling projects with her husband to circuit training with her friends she found many ways to enrich her life. One of the most rewarding challenges of Abbe''s life was raising puppies for the nonprofit organization Guide Dogs for the Blind. She found the task both fun and rewarding as each of her five dogs graduated and became working guide dogs.

In the spring of 2009 Abbe was diagnosed with cancer. It was at this time Abbe began her long and courageous battle with the disease. With the help of her loving sister Sherri and a team of excellent medical professionals Abbe was able to spend the next year and a half with her family. Ultimately she was unable to defeat the disease and on July 8th, 2010 passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side.

Abbe will be remembered by her family and friends as an extraordinary woman, passionate florist and loving wife and mother.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist''s Layton Mortuary, 1867 N. Fairfield Road with interment following. Friends may visit family from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. at the mortuary.

Donations can be made in Abbe''s name to: Guide Dogs for the Blind P.O. Box 3950 San Rafael, CA 94912-3950 or www.guidedogs.com or call 800-295-4050.