Abbie Sheloush

Abbie Sheloush passed away on Thursday, March 26, 2026. She was our beloved mother, “Choo Choo”, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. She is survived by her daughter Lea (Josh), granddaughter Ash, brothers Josh and Jon Zion, sisters-in-law Marilyn, Gali, Rachel, and Judith, and brothers-in-law David and Yonah.

Abbie was born in New York City in 1948 and graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a B.A. in Sociology in 1970. She went on to earn her master’s degree from the Hunter College Graduate School of Social Work, where she received a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health to support her work with people struggling with alcoholism. She married the love of her life, Abraham (“Avi”), in Haifa, Israel, in 1972. Together, Abbie and Avi had a remarkable talent for building a life that was equal parts adventure, hard work, and entrepreneurial hustle. They owned several electronics stores in New York City, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Old Orchard Beach, Maine, where Abbie’s heart signed a long-term lease. In Old Orchard Beach, they ran the Riviera Motor Inn, a bed and breakfast by the beach, where Abbie happily held court as innkeeper and welcomed guests from across the Northeast and Canada. After settling in West Long Branch, New Jersey, Abbie co-founded a PR consulting firm, later became a librarian at the West Long Branch Public Library, and eventually retired as a Library Tech at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch.

Abbie had a wonderful sense of humor and loved making people laugh. Few things gave her more joy than the raucous sound of laughter her jokes inspired in friends and family. Every year, people eagerly awaited her holiday card, a full-scale production featuring props, characters, costume changes, and just enough absurdity to keep everyone on their toes. Some people send holiday greetings, but Abbie staged a small event, spending months determining just the right theme for the year and tag line. Though she described herself as an introvert, she transformed in the company of family and friends, becoming gregarious, hilarious, and wonderfully thoughtful. She gave excellent advice, never forgot a birthday or anniversary, and cared deeply for the people she loved. Her granddaughter, Ash, was her greatest pride and joy. They shared a unique bond that was beautiful to witness. On visits, the two could often be heard talking and laughing late into the night, as if time itself had decided to take the evening off.

Abbie was optimistic, politically engaged, and filled with curiosity. She loved socks with fun prints, Amy Winehouse, Laura Nyro, PBS, long drives, the ocean, a crispy Windmill hot dog, playing with her grand pups Felix and Billie, and the U.S. Open. She was a gifted conversationalist who could talk for hours about politics, the arts, international news, social justice issues, entertainment, and, most especially, family.

Abbie was predeceased by her beloved husband of fifty years, Avi; her parents, Harriett and Joel Zion; and her soul pup, Sammie.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Smile Train Inc. or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.