Abbey Wolf, the younger sister of Elizabethtown College Occupational Therapy student Kayla Wolf ’22 M’23, always had a deep love for baking and sweet treats. Her happiest moments were often while whisking something up in the kitchen, her passion going so far that her family even called her their little Martha Stewart.
“Abbey was an amazing, talented, sweet, funny, and athletic girl,” Kayla said. “She excelled at anything she tried. One of the things she loved to do most was baking!”
For many, Abbey’s creations felt like more than just desserts. She often baked for neighbors, relatives, family, and friends.
“She made everything with her secret ingredient, love. We say that Abbey’s therapy was baking,” Kayla said.
Tragically, the Wolf family lost 14-year-old Abbey, who struggled with anxiety and depression, to suicide on Saturday, November 7, 2020.
Needing an outlet for their grief, the Wolf family sought to transform their tragedy into a way to help others. One way to accomplish that goal, they realized, was through Abbey’s fondness for baked goods.
The result: Abbey’s Bakery, which combines Abbey’s favorite recipes with the Wolf family’s mission to raise awareness and encourage conversations around mental health and suicide prevention.
Featuring different recipes for desserts, such as Abbey’s famous banana bread and cookies, on the bakery’s website was just the beginning for the Wolf family. They also make appearances at various mental health events, spreading Abbey’s story as they go.
The team at Abbey’s Bakery strives to spread the idea of, “It’s okay not to be okay” and, “It’s okay to ask for help.”
“Getting these messages out to everyone is what drives us every day,” Kayla said.
Through their work with Abbey’s Bakery, the Wolf family has been able to continue their own, more personal motto of, “putting our grief to work.” This mindset was one of the biggest influences while they were developing their idea for a non-profit.
Abbey’s Bakery has collaborated with multiple local and national organizations, as well as individuals with their own impactful stories about mental health and suicide. Abbey and her family have attended Montgomery County and Bucks County National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) suicide prevention walks, numerous mental health fairs, and partnered with the Abington Police Department to host the inaugural mental health fair, “Let’s Talk Mental Health.”
“It truly is a hidden blessing to be able to help others in the midst of our tragedy,” Kayla said.
To support Abbey’s Bakery, visit abbeysbakery.com where visitors can find a schedule of events and donation information. You can also follow the organization on Instagram and Facebook where people are encouraged to tag Abbey’s Bakery in photos of Abbey’s recipes.
Mental Health Resources
NAMI Helpline: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Crisis Text Line: Text TALK or NAMI to 741741
