Abigail “Abby” Lynne Bass

Abigail “Abby” Lynne Bass

1957 – 2023

Abigail “Abby” was born on June 5, 1957, to Wesley and Clara Louise Pelsue in Joplin, MO. She spent most of her youth in Joplin where she had a passion and strong love for animals. It all started with her horse Velvet and her collection of toy horses that she would later pass down to her own children. Over her youth, her father rescued several Shelties. Influenced by her father, she recently adopted Lucy, a rescue Sheltie along with her rescue Bruiser the ten-year-old Chihuahua. Her love of cats came from her grandmother where they had barn kittens growing up. She adopted Little Kitty who was, in her words, her sidekick.

The family moved to Topeka, KS during her junior high years where she fell in love with the arts. In high school, she participated in the dance squad and was the baton twirler, always keeping the crowd entertained with her infectious energy and smile. She attended the University of Kansas her freshman year to study Theater and Dance, staying active in community theater and spending the next summer in Wichita, KS to perform with the Wichita Summer Theater. She continued her studies at Oklahoma City University earning Undergraduate and Masters degrees in Theater & Dance. For many years she was with the Surrey Singers representing OCU throughout Oklahoma and surrounding states. Abby was active in several Lyric Theater summer productions singing, dancing and acting with several photos of her performances still hanging in the lobby of the OCU theater of performing arts. She was well known throughout the theater and dance community and directed the dance choreography performed with the Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra led by Guy Frasier Harrison as well as performing in summer theater directed by Carveth Osterhaus. Abby taught jazz dance at Ballet Oklahoma and the Bill Graham Dance Studio. She was highly regarded as a leader in theater, dance, singing, and instructing productions for many years. 

Abby and Jerry met in early January 2004 during church. Not surprisingly, their first date in March was attending a comedy play at Carpenter Square Theater. Realizing the love they both had for all types of theater arts, that night sparked the beginning of their 19 year love story, marrying in August 2005.

Abby “always” made any personality laugh with her witty jokes and passion to make people feel seen and heard. She was a joyful presence with her wide eyes, short beautiful blonde bob and whimsical reading glasses that she creatively chose for every occasion. We will miss her immensely.

Abby was preceded in death by her parents Wesley and Louise Pelsue, her oldest brother Wesley Edwin Pelsue III (Leeds), her beloved Calico cat Precious and Shetland Sheepdog Laddie.  

Abby is survived by her daughter Hilary Jamieson, husband Sean Jamieson, granddaughters Blakely and Isla of Bedford TX; daughter Jamee Barwick, partner Jack Merrill of Fort Worth, TX; Husband Jerry and his daughter Katie Bass of Spring Hill, FL and son Whit Bass, wife Kelli Bass, granddaughters MacKenzi and Sophia of Edmond, OK; her brother Mitch Pelsue, wife Louise Pelsue of Janesville, WI, their children Fran Clouse, husband Jeremy Clouse, daughter Camdyn and son Nolan of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina; Brian Pelsue, wife Amy Pelsue, sons Ashton, Chapman and twins Carter and Cole of Janesville, WI; David Pelsue, wife Kelly Pelsue, son Jackson of Fairfield, CN and daughter Danielle Pelsue of Shorewood, WI. And many more nieces and nephews across the country.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Mount St. Mary Volleyball Exchange 2801 S. Shartel Ave. OKC, OK 73109 or Free To Live Animal Sanctuary. Services will be held Thursday March 30th, 2023, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Edmond.