Helen Esther (McKinley) Abbey passed away on December 24, 2025, at the age of 89. Esther was born on May 13, 1936, in Greensburg, Kansas to Victor McKinley and Helen (O’Connor) McKinley. Esther attended Dodge City public schools, graduating from Dodge City High School in 1954 and Dodge City Community College in 1956. 

She married Glee Abbey on August 12, 1956. Both Glee and Esther worked at McKinley Automotive, until Esther went back to college to earn her teaching degree. Esther graduated from St. Mary of the Plains in 1968, Summa Cum Laude and started her 30 plus year career as a seventh grade Social Studies teacher at Dodge City Junior High. She was inducted into the Kansas Teachers’ Hall of Fame in 2014. Esther was a member of First Church of God, Dodge City, Kansas and active in many organizations, including the Dodge City public library, Meals on Wheels, PEO, Babbaloo, and assisted with college scholarship awards. While Esther was the consummate storyteller and teacher, she also was a great artist. She painted and sketched endless portraits for friends and family in the Dodge City area. Esther lived most of her life in Dodge City, but moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 2024 to be near her daughter. 

Esther was preceded in death by her parents and husband. She is survived by her daughter, Gentra Sorem (Jim) of Tulsa, Oklahoma, granddaughter, Abbey Shaull (Adam) of Leawood, Kansas and great grandson, Parker Shaull. She also is survived by her sister, Maxine York, brother-in-law, Thayne Abbey (Peg), sister-in-law, Lois Abbey, plus many nieces and nephews. She will miss her great friends, including Max Jones of Dodge City, Kansas. 

The family wishes to thank the staff of The Grove for their compassionate, kind, care. 

Memorial services will be Saturday, January 17 at 11:00 A.M., at First Church of God, Dodge City. There will be no public viewing. Private family interment will take place prior to the service. The family suggests memorials to the Dodge City Public Library or Meals on Wheels in care of Swaim Funeral Chapel, Dodge City.