Virginia Lawrence Abbett died peacefully on April 22, 2025, in her home in Norwalk. She was 67.
Virginia was born in Norwalk on April 25, 1958. She spent most of her early years in Connecticut except for several years in Vermont running a bed and breakfast with her mother.
Upon graduating from Darien High School, she joined the army and served until she was released with a purple heart for shoulder injuries. She was married and later, when she was divorced, she returned to Colorado Springs where she was previously stationed in the army.
Upon returning to Connecticut, she had a long career in banking followed by a small landscape and maintenance business. She, like her mother became quite fond of getting in the dirt and unleashing her creativity in the garden.
Virginia, also known as Dinnie, could be described as an optimistic and caring soul. She brought smiles wherever she went and was known to brighten people’s day by sharing kind words or laughter in her signature throaty laugh. She had a great and sardonic sense of humor and an intelligent thoughtful perspective on life.
She adored family, connecting with them and was always proud to share her “brag photos” of nieces and nephews to everyone she met. She was a great sister and daughter and supported her mother through many experiences and health issues including through her death.
Virginia could always find the positive in people and would often champion and celebrate them by sharing their accomplishments with others. Virginia struggled with many health issues over the years, and even then, she would try to find the silver lining. She was a truly kind person, one that would stand by someone she loved no matter what they were going through, no questions asked.
Starting with her beloved basset hound dog as a young girl, Virginia’s lifelong love and connection to dogs was seen in the way she treated them as “fur kids.” She was well known for always having one to three dogs in her life and she is survived by her beloved yellow lab, Sandy.
She is survived by her sister, Lyn Gregory; her brothers, Stephen and Sheldon Abbett; her stepmother, Susan Gregory; stepbrother, TJ O’Connor; and stepbrothers, Tuck and Scott Gregory. She is preceded in death by her mother, Evelyn Soule Lawrence; father, Haven Abbett; stepmother, Friday Abbett; stepfather, Robert Gregory; and brother, Alex Gregory.
In leu of flowers donations in Virginia’s name can be made to the Norwalk Veterinary Hospital in Norwalk to Sandy’s care as she waits for her future placement.
— an obituary from Lawrence Funeral Home, where online condolences may be left