N. Elaine Abels, 82 of Forked River, died on Monday, August 29.

She was born in 1940 to the late Lucy and Raul Lopez in San Juan, Puerto Rico.  Elaine was raised in Spanish Harlem and graduated from Commercial High School.

From humble beginnings, she began working at an early age in order to help her family. Elaine married and started her family, raising two kids all while working two jobs while attending City College at night. She stopped commuting to NYC and in order to be around more for her children and became a real estate agent and worked her way to manager of one of the top producing Weichert Realtors offices. Her career was her passion, and helping people was a big part of it. Elaine mentored many people throughout her career and guided them in their success and happiness. Family was the most important part of her life, and she enjoyed spending time with them most of all.

She is predeceased by her parents, and her siblings Angie Vargas and Ketty Lopez and first husband Ramon Salva, Jr.

Surviving is her beloved husband, John Abels, son Gary and his wife Michelle Salva of Howell, daughter Tina Salva and her partner Kelly O’Connor of Freehold, her siblings Oscar and Grisel Lopez, two grandchildren Gary Salva Jr. and Christian Salva, and one great-grandchild Maximillian Salva, and her nieces Maria (Debbie) Rivera, and Margaret Vargas and nephew Arnold Marchesi and many more nieces and nephews.

She always hosted a party at her home for Christmas Eve, so everyone could be at their homes for Christmas morning with their kids and enjoy the day together. She was thoughtful, generous and kind towards all in all things personal or professional.

Visitation Friday, September 2 from 4pm – 8pm at Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 S. Holmdel Road, Holmdel. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday, September 3^rd at 12pm at the Parish of St. Mary’s, 1 Phalanx Road, Colts Neck. Entombment will follow at St. Gabriel Mausoleum, Marlboro.

For messages of condolences, or to share a favorite memory of Elaine, please visit her page of tribute at www.HolmdelFuneralHome.com.