Obituary of Mary Carol Eldridge

MARY CAROL HARHIGH ELDRIDGE, 82, of Jane Lew, WV, passed away into the loving arms of our Lord Jesus on her birthday and Russian Christmas, Friday, January 7, 2022 embracing her cross with the help of God's grace, at home, in the presence of her son and daughter. Mrs. Eldridge was born in Trenton, NJ on January 7, 1940. She was the loving daughter of the late Nicholas Harhigh, Sr. and the late Julia Reminicky Harhigh. Mary attended and finished through 8th grade at St. Mary's Greek Catholic school then attended and graduated from Princeton high School in June 1958. Mary and Ted met where they both worked at the A&P grocery store in Trenton, NJ in 1957. They were married October 14, 1961 and after 1 month together, Ted was drafted into the US Army and stationed in Germany for 2 years. In 1963, upon Ted's honorable discharge and return home, Mary's father and Ted built Mary the home of her dreams in what then was rural West Windsor, NJ. Mary was a homemaker and mother until their children were at school when she began work in the high school cafeteria for 18 fulfilling years. Mary and Ted raised their family and lived in West Windsor until their retirement in April 2000, when they moved to Jane Lew, WV. Mary, Ted and son were later joined in 2002 by her brother Julian "Babe" Harhigh and mother Julia Remenicki Harhigh so Mary and Babe could care for their mother until her passing in 2011. Mary was tremendously dedicated to the love and care of her family always, until her passing. She was a devout Byzantine Catholic and loved her church and Carpatho-Ruthenian traditions, attending church regularly her whole life and baking cakes for social gatherings. Mary enjoyed the sunsets and watching nature around her, and in her earlier years, loved planting her flower gardens. She was a very charitable giver and always wanted to do more. Mary enjoyed the occasional card games with family and was known to doze off while holding the winning hand. Her enthusiasm and expressions always entertained the listener when she told her stories, like when her mother in law and she got pulled over by a Lambertville cop who stated that Mary would need to follow him to the JP and Mary said the "only JP she knew was Jane Parker" (Jane Parker was one of A&P grocery store's brands), making the police officer chuckle. She had a somewhat Gracie Allen humor about her and often made us laugh with her antics. Mary is survived by her older brother Sergei Igor Harhigh (wife Ruth Harhigh), son Ted J. Eldridge, daughter Laura M. Arnao and grandsons Daniel and Joseph, son Paul E. Eldridge (wife Amy Swan Eldridge) and granddaughters Molly and Iris, 14 nieces and nephews, 23 great nieces and nephews, and three great, great nieces, and one great, great nephew. She loved and missed all of her family so very much and spoke of all often. Mary was predeceased by her husband Ted Eldridge just 21 days earlier, her brother Nicholas Harhigh (wife Geraldine Torkington Harhigh), brother John Harhigh, brother Julian Harhigh and nephew Daniel Harhigh. Visitation will be Thursday, January 13, 2022 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. with 5 p.m. Panachida, at Knott's colonial Funeral Home, 2946 South Broad Street, Hamilton, N.J. 08610. The Ceremony of Christian Burial and Liturgy will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 14, 2022 at The Assumption of the Virgin Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, 202 Grand Street, Trenton, N.J. 08611, followed by burial at the St. Mary's Cemetery no. 3, Ridge Ave. Trenton, N.J. 08610. Memorial donations may be made in Mrs. Eldridge's name to the St. Mary Holy Protection of the Mother of God church 2115 Listravia Ave, Morgantown, WV 26505, to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Byzantine Catholic Church in Trenton NJ or to St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Condolences for the family can be left at www.knottscolonialfuneralhome.com.