Carol J Miller

Carol Miller passed away peacefully on June 12, 2016 at Rahway Hospital, following a bout with Multiple Myeloma.  Born Carol Julia Schmidt to Julia & Peter Schmidt, on November 30, 1940 at Perth Amboy General Hospital, she resided in Iselin, NJ during her childhood.  Following her marriage to Stephen Miller on January 8, 1960 she moved to Wickatunk, NJ for four years.  After designing & building their dream two story Dutch Colonial house with the assistance of their fathers, Carol & Steve moved to Colonia in 1966, residing there for the past 50 years.
    She was a communicant of St. Cecelia's Church in Iselin for her entire life.
Carol was a graduate of the Woodbridge High School Class of 1959.  Following graduation, she was employed by the New York Telephone Company for a few years.  On each Election Day for several years, Carol served as a Woodbridge Township Poll Clerk.  After performing much volunteer work while raising her two sons, Carol was later employed by the Newark Star-Ledger for 28 1/2 years as a Circulation Manager, until her retirement in 2006.  
    Her many roles for volunteer organizations included stints as the Past President of the Federated Woman's Club of Colonia, Past Volunteer Head Librarian for the Outlook Avenue 2 & 16 School, Past President of the Outlook Avenue 2 & 16 School PTA, Past President of the Woodbridge Township Schools PTA Presidents, Past Colonia Cub Scouts Den Mother, and Former Volunteer Refreshment Sales Coordinator for Merrill Park Baseball League.  Carol was also the former Sweetheart of the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, at Rider College in 1960-1961.
Known for her creativity, Carol took great joy in gifting her talent to others.  Not a single holiday on the calendar passed by that Carol didn't provide themed gifts, for family & friends.  Easter always consisted of rhymed clues, in her elaborate Easter Egg Hunts for her children & grandchildren.         Carol's beloved home was always elaborately decorated throughout her house, for various holidays.  Her favorite holiday was Halloween.  When her children were young, Carol designed original homemade award-winning Halloween costumes which were often later borrowed by children & adults in the neighborhood.  Her talents were also shared in edible fashion, often available in creative homemade desserts.  When you were invited to Carol's house for an occasion, you were treated to an elaborate homemade multi course meal & accompanying gifts from the generous hostess too.
    During her leisure time, Carol loved to attend craft shows, often traveling & attending multiple shows in one day especially those in Ocean City, Smithville & Chester.  Additionally, she was fond of antique shows, which included travels to Brimfield, MA.  Her traveling also included family vacations to Walt Disney World & Hawaii, and cruises with her husband to Bermuda.
    Carol is predeceased by her mother, Julia, and her father, Peter.  She is survived by her husband, Stephen Jr.; her son, Stephen III, & his wife, Carol, of Haymarket, VA; her son, Jeffrey, of Colonia; her sister, Marge Schmidt, of Somerset; and her twin grandchildren, Stephen IV & Diana, of Haymarket, VA.  An avid animal lover, Carol is also predeceased by many furry family members: a Scottish Terrier dog, Macs; an Applehead Siamese cat, Bombay; two Old English Sheepdogs, Waldo & Rupert; a Birman cat, Babu; and a Maine Coon cat, Moonshine.
    Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Friday, June 17th, from 9:30AM - 10:30AM, at Gosselin Funeral Home 660 New Dover Road, Edison.  A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00AM on Friday, June 17th at St. Cecelia's Church, Iselin.  Entombment at St. Gertrude Cemetery, Colonia.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Garden State Cat Club of New Jersey, Inc. or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.