Mrs. Abel graduated from Cheltenham High School. She earned a bachelor's degree in early-childhood and elementary education from Temple University, and a master's degree in school administration from the University of Pennsylvania.

She married Robert Abel in 1946. They had met as teenagers, and they married when he returned from Army service in Europe.

Mrs. Abel became a teacher at Grace Presbyterian Nursery School in Jenkintown in the 1950s, and was the school's director for more than 15 years until the late 1970s.

"She viewed each child as an individual with boundless potential, and treated every child with that level of respect and individual attention and care," son Douglas said.

Mrs. Abel served on the Upper Moreland board from 1973 to 1991, and was president from 1979 to 1981. She was past president of the Upper Moreland Women's Club, and led the club's education committee, which established scholarships for Upper Moreland High School graduates. In 1986, she was named citizen of the year by the Willow Grove Chamber of Commerce for her community service.

Mrs. Abel was a former Girl Scouts troop leader, and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She enjoyed classical music and travel abroad, and maintained her trademark sense of humor to the end, her son said.

In addition to her husband and son, Mrs. Abel is survived by another son, Theodore; daughters Susan Scherzer and Patricia McCall; six grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter.

A memorial service will be held at noon Saturday at Gloria Dei Church, 570 Welsh Rd., Huntingdon Valley, where Mrs. Abel was active with the youth group.

Memorial donations may be made to the Emily Abel Scholarship Fund, Upper Moreland School District, 2900 Terwood Rd., Willow Grove, Pa. 19090.