Abeling, Polly M. After a long illness at the Willows Rehab. and Nursing Center in Woodbridge on April 8, 2008. Polly M. Eldridge Abeling, 88, wife of 63 years to Edwin J. Abeling of Woodbridge. Mother and mother-in-law of Michael and Patricia Abeling of Venice, FL, John S. and Cynthia Abeling of Tucson, AZ and Jeffrey and Teresa Abeling of North Haven. Also survived by 3 granddaughters, Kristina Pitts of Pacifica, CA, Alyssa C. and Elizabeth C. Abeling, both of North Haven, 2 great-grandsons Michael and Maxwell Pitts of Pacifica, CA, 2 step-grandsons Blake Grey of Denver, CO and Timothy Blum of San Jose, CA, 3 nieces, Kathryn Lindquist of Palm Harbor, FL, Katherine Henson of Gilbertsville, KY and Patsy Shirkey of Paducak, KY, sister of the late Leila Grief, Charles Eldridge, Leland Eldridge and Rudy Eldridge. Polly was born on Nov. 28, 1919 in Almo, KY, a daughter of the late Albert and Catherine Calhoun Eldridge. She attended Murray State University on Murray, KY and was a graduate of St. Joseph's Hospital School of Nursing, Lexington, KY. She worked as a Registered Nurse at Grace Hospital, Detroit, MI until her marriage. Polly was a member of Bethesda Lutheran Church in New Haven for 45 years and served on the church council. She was a member of the Garden Club of Woodbridge and a Life Member of the Federated Garden Club of CT. She always exhibited and won awards at the flower shows, she loved flowers. Polly served on the Town of Woodbridge Conservation Commission and was instrumental in establishing the community gardens and also was a member of the Woodbridge Club. Friends may call Friday, April 18, 2008 from 5-8 pm at BEECHER & BENNETT, 2300 WHITNEY AVE., HAMDEN. Friends are further invited to join the family on Sat. at 11 am for a Memorial Service at Bethesda Lutheran Church followed by interment at Eastside Cemetery, Woodbridge. Memorial Contributions may be made to Bethesda Lutheran Church, 305 St. Ronan St., New Haven, CT or to CT Hospice, 100 Double Beach Rd., Branford, CT 06405.