Babaka
Why 'Babaka'?
The Russian word for grandmother is babushka. бабушка. When her grandson, Trenton Noble Abbott (born 1995) was little he couldn't say babushka and it came out 'babaka'. It stuck. In fact she adopted it. To such an extent that she even got the license plate!
Leila Cassandra Misico Abbott Korotonouva
Leila Cassandra Misico Abbott Korotonouva, 82, passed away August 30, 2024 at Carriage House Nursing and Rehab in Bay City, MI where she had been resident since 2021.
Leila was born September 15, 1941 in Detroit, MI to the late John and Lila (Shevchenko) Misico. She moved to Minneapolis, MN after graduating high school and married Dennis Abbott, with whom she had one child, Phillip. There she worked as a legal secretary for many years and played traditional Rennasance and Elizabethan music with various ensembles. After her son grew up she moved to Boston, MA where she married Andre Korotounov, whom she had met in St. Petersberg, Russia on a church trip. Finally she moved back to her family home in Ubly MI where she cared for her father until his passing.
There she was an active member of the Ubly Historical Society and could often be found volunteering at the Ten Cent Barn. She inherited a passion for painting from both parents and enjoyed multiple trips to various parts of the American Southwest painting with her sister, Marie.
Leila is survived by her son, Phillip (Gayatri) Abbott of London, England; grandson, Trenton (Rachel) Abbott of Rolla, MO; sister, Marie Stoeckley of Eurka, MT, and numerous nieces and nephews and friends. In addition to her parents, Leila was preceded in death by her ex-husband Dennis, and her brothers John and Phillip Misico.
Funeral Home Obituary
Comments from the Funeral Home Obituary
Scott Misico
My wife, kids and I used to go spend the Weekend with Grandpa Misico and Aunt Leila several times a year. My fondest memories were sitting out back of the house in the evenings around the camp fire and roasting hotdogs. We would sit out there for hours talking and sharing stories. I truly miss those times.
Some Pictures
Babaka with Brighteyes
Signed on back 'Leila C Abbott October 1979'
Another Babaka Picture
Saved by Sarah Jane Davis Abbott, the mother of Leila's grandson.
Toll Painting
Leila got into toll painting in a big way at one point in her life inspired by (in spite of?) her mother Lila's work with that.
Red Square
Leila travelled to Russia on a church trip, to celbrate a millenium of christianity in Russia. This was before the fall of the wall.
A young Leila
The Saint Paul Years
Leila graduated from high school and moved to Minneapolis/St. Paul where she met and married Dennis Abbott. She had one child, Phillip, and lived there until the early 90's when she moved to Boston.
[[http://omega-prime.pictures/pix_/MMXXIV/babaka/thestpaulyears.html][The Saint Paul Years]
A Sister's Care
When Babaka was in the nursing home, her sister Marie sent her some cards. This would be normal and expected, except… Many of the cards were hand painted, which is rather exceptional.
.. with help from my best friend, Claude ..