Emily Ruth

Abbott

On March 27, 2023, Dr. Emily Ruth Abbott passed away peacefully at the age of 78. She was born in Enid, OK on April 6, 1944.

She received her early education in Brownsville, TX, before finishing high school and her first year of college in Mexico City. Returning to the U.S., she received her BA in History from Roosevelt University in Chicago, IL., and her MA in Social Work from The University of Chicago in 1973. She continued work as a social worker in the Chicago area until 1979, when she accepted a position at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston, TX.

During her years in Houston, she became a devotee of Siddha Yoga and made two trips to the Mother Ashram in India to volunteer. Following her first trip, which lasted a year, she enrolled in the doctoral program in Psychology at the University of Houston.  She received her doctorate in 1996 when she began work at Rio Grande State Hospital in Harlingen, Texas. She retired officially in 2006. At this time, she began a private practice which later centered on psychological testing allowing her more time for her other interests.

She was an avid swimmer and loved the beach. She participated in the Writer's Group and Singles' Group at Fun n Sun Resort in San Benito, TX, and in the Prison Project sponsored by the Siddha Yoga Foundation.

Emily was proceeded in death by her twin sister, Kitty Ayers, her mother, Pauline Morrill Abbott, and her father, Rev. Paul Abbott. She is survived by her older brother, Tony (wife, Nanette) Abbott, in Brownsville, her brother-in-law, Ralph Ayers of Laguna Vista, nieces Alex (husband, Jeff) Mathews, and Cory (husband, Travis) Flanagan in Laguna Vista and Vicki Ayers in New York City and nephews, Merle Ayers in Long Island, NY, and Matt Ayers in Las Vegas, NV, along with several grand-nieces and nephews. In addition, Emily always considered her friends as a cherished part of her extended family.

A Memorial Service will be held on April 22, 2023, at 11:00 AM at St. Andrews by the Sea Episcopal Church in Port Isabel, TX, followed by a reception. She will be interred in the columbarium at St. Andrews by the Sea following the ceremony. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Siddha Yoga Meditation Center of Houston in Houston, Texas, or St. Andrews by the Sea Episcopal Church in memory of Emily Abbott.

Siddha Yoga Dham Affiliate in Houston (866) 889-4407
P.O. Box 541991, Houston, TX 77254-1991

St. Andrews by the Sea Episcopal Church (956) 943-1962
1022 N. Yturria St., Port Isabel, TX 78578

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Trinity at Harrison Funeral Home 1002 East Harrison Avenue Harlingen, Texas 78550 (956)364-2444.