Obituary of Carol Abbas

Carol Abbas South Plainfield - Carol (Martin) Abbas, a loving mother, grandmother and an advocate of domestic violence awareness, died on Thursday, March 13, 2008 at JFK Medical Center in Edison, NJ seven months after the death of her devoted husband, William. Born in Rahway Hospital, She lived in Elizabeth, and then Edison where she graduated from Edison High School class of 1961. After marriage, she settled to South Plainfield where she had resided for over 40 years. Carol had worked for Home Health Aides and the Home Hospice Programs both in Somerset County prior to her retirement in 1995. During her career she was recognized as "Hospice Worker of the Year," an accomplishment she was most proud of. After retirement from home hospice and health aid programs, Carol wanted to serve others in a different manor but, in a way that was just as serious and important. She became active with Domestic Violence. Working as a team member, she was always available for victims of domestic violence and wherever the need arose. Carol was also an advocate for the prevention of Domestic Violence, working to end violence in people's lives. Carol and her husband were instrumental in creating the Middlesex County Silent Witness Committee. She not only continued on a yearly basis to create awareness about Domestic Violence but, also joined the staff of "Women Aware" in 1999. Carol also enjoyed ceramics and was a longtime faithful member of the Branch Point Church. Her dear and devoted husband, Bill, died on August 20, 2007. She is predeceased by her parents Roger & Lucy Martin. Surviving are her loving daughters, Kimberly Ciaglia and her husband Michael Sr. of West Long Branch and Bernadine Wilson of Somerset. Her beloved sisters, Barbara Murray of Maplewood and Lois Zelenski of Port Townsend, WA. And her cherished grandchildren, Samantha Coppola, Alicia & Michael Ciaglia Jr. Also surviving are 24 nieces and nephews. Carol's family has requested that her life be celebrated in the same fashion as we celebrated Bill's life. An informal memorial gathering of relatives and friends celebrating her life will be on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 from 6-9 PM in the McCriskin - Gustafson Home For Funerals, 2425 Plainfield Ave., South Plainfield. In lieu of flowers donations in her memory may be made to Haven Hospice, C/O JFK Medical Center, 65 James Street, Edison, NJ 08818.