Leslie Ann Abbott aka “Cessie” was born on September 26, 1956 in her home at Hostler Creek. She lived her whole life on the Hoopa Reservation, where she passed away May 2, 2019 at her residence, surrounded by her family.

After Cessie received her high school diploma she went to work at Joe’s Deli. She then worked as a firefighter with her Aunt Diane, and then as an administrative assistant at the Hoopa Daycare. Cessie later went on to earn a degree in Early Childhood Education at College of The Redwoods and soon after went to work as a teacher for the Hoopa Early Head Start Program. From there she went on to work for the Klamath Trinity Joint Unified School District as a bus driver, where she retired from work, due to health complications.

Cessie was dedicated to and supported her grandchildren and nieces and nephews’ sporting events, fundraisers, and traveling. She was an avid sports lover, whether she was yelling from the sidelines, playing or coaching volleyball and softball, or watching her teams the Lakers and the Niners on TV.

Cessie was a proud Member of the Yurok tribe and loved participating in her culture. She particularly loved fishing, camping at the brush dances with her family, stripping up fish, and being by the river bar.

Cessie is survived by her father Wally (Lynn) Abbott, her children Erika and Lauren (Alicia) Hostler Sr. Gerald (Shawday) Moon, her Grand Children Talbert (Pateisha) Alvarado, Shane, Erick “Herc”, and Wade, Richard “Richie”, William “Wayner” Nixon, Cheyenne Hostler, Madison Rakestraw, Blake (Ginger), Oscar, and Loren Jr. Hostler, Juanita McKinnon, Ryan, and Dillon Moon. Great grandchildren: Gigi and Penelope Alvarado, Bryson and Haven Nixon. Siblings: Carol (Jeff) Hutton, Leonard and Stacey (Bubs) Abbott, Tom (Sherry) O’Rourke Sr, and Aunts Shirley Cushman, and Diane (Tom) Annand and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Cessie is preceded in death, by husband Paul “Toe” James, her mother Madolin Keller, grandparents Casey and Hazel Keller, George and Mae Abbott. Aunts and Uncles: Mary, Keith, and Kenneth Keller, Warren, Charles Sr. and Leroy Abbott, Dennis Cushman. Siblings: Steve Abbott, Robert and Richard Robbins and Harold Blaine Marshall. Nieces: Traci Melendy-O’Rourke and Lacey Mae Jackson and Nephew Thomas “Kocky” O’Rourke Jr. and Son-in-law: Richard Nixon Sr.

A small, private graveside service will be held on May 31, 2019, where she will be laid to rest alongside her husband Awok Paul “Toe” James Sr. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Hoopa Fire Hall at 1 p.m. thereafter.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Cessie Abbott’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.