Ms. Abigail Arms, 73, of Chincoteague Island (East Piney Island) and Alexandria, Va., passed away May 19, 2021, after a long brave battle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Abbie did not go gently into that good night.
Abbie was the daughter of the late John Taylor Arms III and the late Jean Abberley. Abbie grew up in rural Connecticut and as a child was happiest riding a pony, playing tennis, or otherwise being outside. During college she suffered from a misdiagnosed burst appendix that led to multiple surgeries. After college she earned a master’s in economics and worked as a corporate banker in New York City. Abbie eventually returned to school for her law degree and had an illustrious career as a public servant at the United States Securities and Exchange Commission before joining the law firm of Shearman and Sterling LLP. Abbie was a mentor and role model to many young lawyers, particularly women.
As an adult, her love of the outdoors continued, especially boogie boarding, bird watching, and bike riding. She never let her lung disease slow her down. Abbie managed to ride a bike with an oxygen tank strapped to its fender and walk the shore with an oxygen tank in her backpack. One of the best and happiest days of Abbie’s life was completing the 27th Between the Waters Bike Tour after her lung transplant.
Abbie was a very kind, thoughtful, and generous person and will be greatly missed by her many friends and family. Abbie had a caring heart for those who live on the margins and taught us the importance of generosity to others. Prior to her illness, Abbie served on the board of United Community, a nonprofit that has for over 50 years served those in need in the Route One community in Alexandria.For decades, Abbie was also deeply involved in the life of Christ Church, Alexandria, including serving as junior warden on the vestry.
Abbie was a brave and deeply compassionate person, touching so many lives with her kindness, integrity, love, and generosity. Left to cherish wonderful memories of Abbie are her beloved spouse, Paula; loving sisters, Pen, Leslie (Peter), and Sara; and her much-loved nephews and niece and grandnephews and grandniece.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to fund the lung tissue bank at Temple University Hospital Lung Center, where Abbie had her lung transplant and subsequent loving and amazing care: http://giving.temple.edu/
Please consider giving the gift of life by registering to be an organ donor at www.organdonor.gov
