Eleanor Ellie Francis Abate

Ellie was born on January 1, 1946 in New Haven Connecticut. She spent her childhood in Philadelphia, PA., later moving to Burlington, NJ where she was a 1963 graduate from Burlington City High School. Burlington is also where she met and married the love of her life, Nick, in 1967. In 1979, the family moved to Long Beach Island where Ellie owned and operated a successful restaurant in Ship Bottom currently known as the Greenhouse Café.

In 1984, Ellie and her family moved to Manahawkin where she happily spent the rest of her days. For the past several years, Ellie worked in the Manahawkin Costco as a food demonstrator. She loved meeting and speaking to the many people she met who also became her friends.

Ellie was lovingly referred to as "Mother Nature" because of her love and caring for all the animals. She loved watching the many varieties of birds and small critters that would come every day and visit her backyard. Many of them were taken in and became members of her family. Her love for animals was surpassed only by her love for her family and friends. She was a selfless, caring women who was loved in return by all who knew her.

She will be dearly missed and never forgotten. She is survived by her husband Nicholas, her children, Billy (Robin), Michelle, Nick (Kimberly), Granddaughters: Abigail and Heather; Grandsons: Jesse, Brandon, and Nick. Also five sisters, three brothers and many nephews and nieces.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Thos. L. Shinn Funeral Home, 10 Hilliard Dr., Manahawkin on Saturday, March 5, 2016 during the hours of 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to honor our "Miss Ellie", please do so by making a donation in her name to The Popcorn Park Zoo, a place Ellie held near and dear to her heart because of the rescue and care they provide to the injured and unwanted animals. The address is as follows:

Popcorn Park Zoo

PO Box 43,

Forked River, NJ 08731

Attn: Renee

For online condolences, please visit www.shinnfuneralhome.com