Ellen "Kaye" (Cummings) Abbott

It is with heavy hearts that we announce that our mother, Ellen “Kaye” (Cummings) Abbott (89) passed away on Saturday, June 6, 2026, in Wichita, KS.

Kaye was born and raised on a farm in rural Harvey County, Kansas and attended Newton High School. Kaye met her sweetheart, Bob Abbott, while attending Emporia State University and they were married at St Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Emporia, Kansas on September 12,1957. She left college to help support her husband while he finished Law School. After Law School they settled in Junction City, Kansas where Bob practiced law until 1977 when Bob was appointed to the Kansas Court of Appeals in Topeka. While in Junction City and Topeka they raised four children. In 1976 she resumed her education eventually earning Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education from Kansas State University. She taught for several years in the Seaman and Topeka School Districts.

Kaye was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Paulina Cummings, her brother Kenneth Cummings Jr. and her husband of 51 years, Bob Abbott. She is survived by her children Bryce (Jana) Abbott of Wichita, Robert Bren Abbott (Cecilia) of Bradenton Florida, Kyle Ann Abbott of Wichita and Jayme Leigh Abbott Anderson (Blake) of Folsom, California. She also leaves behind 5 grandchildren, Logan, Reid, Caroline, Carter and Marleigh and one great grandchild, as well as her dear cousins Prue Schmidt and Jan Ruxton of Wichita.

Her family, her art and her dog Teddy were the center of her world. Kaye was an artist who excelled at multiple disciplines including watercolor and felting. She was a member of the Topeka Art Society, Wichita Women Artists, Gallery XII and PEO Sorority. Her watercolor paintings were exhibited in juried shows in Kansas.

A Service will be held at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, Wichita on August 1, 2026, at 10:00 AM. She will be interred in the Memorial Garden at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers please consider a gift to Botanica, 701 N. Amidon St. Wichita, KS 67203.

Arranged through Downing & Lahey West Mortuary.