Sandra Elizabeth Abel

Sandra Elizabeth Abel, 81 of Summerville, South Carolina, passed away on Sunday, December 24, 2023, surrounded by her loving family.

Sandy was born on April 1, 1942, in Viola, Wisconsin, and was the daughter of the late Delores Hilton (Wemmer) and Leonard Hilton.

Sandy’s life was full of laughter and adventure. She spent much of her upbringing on her family’s farm in Wisconsin and spent many days riding her beloved horses; Sugar and Chief. Sandy was a hard worker; she worked many years at an insurance company and then as a loan officer at the bank.

She traveled the world from coast to coast covering every spot from Hawaii and California, to New England, Alaska, and Maine, and eventually spent her final years in South Carolina close to her daughter, Teri. She spent a lot of time on the road, oftentimes snapping photos of the beautiful countryside scenery while riding shotgun in the RV. Other times she traveled holding on tightly to her husband, Al, on the back of his motorcycle. She loved going boating with the wind in her hair and she was also an avid reader.

In addition to her parents, Sandy is preceded in death by her husband, Al Abel, her brothers Mick and Leo Hilton, her son Jeff Turner, and her first husband Burl Turner.

Sandra is survived by her sister Shelly Benck (Andy) of La Farge, WI, daughter Teri Halajcsik (Bruce) of Summerville, SC, daughter Jean Sahakian (Varton) of Cottonwood Heights, UT, and son Kurt Abel (Bel) North Attleboro, MA. She was also survived by grandchildren Jessie Halajcsik and Dani Murphy (Michael) of Summerville, SC, Valerie Sahakian (Diego) of Eugene, OR, Dylan Sahakian of Eugene, OR, Alex and Alfie Abel, of North Attleboro, MA. She was survived by nieces Valerie Gray (Shannon) of Visalia, CA, and Heather Skorupa of Tualatin, OR.

To celebrate Sandy’s life, the family will receive friends on Friday, December 29, 2023, at 3 pm with a funeral service to follow at 4 pm in the McAlister-Smith Funeral Chapel, 869 St. James Ave, Goose Creek, SC. A reception will immediately follow.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com/.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation, PO Box 247, 869 St. James Ave, Goose Creek, SC 29445, (843-553-1511).