Viola Carolyn Albanese

Born in Oxford, New Jersey, in 1937, Carolyn was the daughter of the late Clyde and Carrie (Wildrick) Fox. She married MSGT Robert Albanese, Sr., and together they raised their four children as a career military family, living in Texas and Germany during his service. Following the death of her husband in Vietnam in 1969, Carolyn worked full-time for the New Jersey State Unemployment Office in Phillipsburg and later for the New Jersey Water Supply Authority in Glen Gardner. She concluded her 25-year public service career with the Warren County Library System in Belvidere.

Carolyn was a lifelong member of Colonial United Methodist Church in Oxford and a proud former Worthy Matron of the Washington Chapter #136, Order of the Eastern Star. She loved being near the ocean, especially vacationing in Wildwood Crest. In her later years, she resided near her daughter in Southport, North Carolina, where she enjoyed simple pleasures such as ice cream by the Cape Fear River and time spent on the beaches of Oak Island.

Love was never in short supply in Carolyn’s life, with her family always at the center. Friends of her children and grandchildren often came to know her as “another Mom” or “Gram,” and many remained lifelong friends. She had a special gift for making everyone she met feel valued and important, and she was deeply loved by all who knew her.

Her grandchildren brought her immense joy: Matthew Albanese; Jenna (Jordan) Brandon; Thomas J. (Shiny) Albanese, Jr.; Haley (Jeremy) Lee; Crystal (Johnathan) Shupp; April (Michael) Samosky; and step-grandson Lars (Carrie) Dujardin. She was also blessed with six great-grandchildren: Ayla and Ryan Finnegan, Mason Lee, Lincoln Shupp, and Evelyn and Emma Samosky; as well as two step-great-grandchildren, Bjorn and Emily Dujardin. She will also be fondly remembered by her many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was predeceased by her sons, Thomas J. Albanese, Sr. and William C. Albanese; her son-in-law, Brian C. Douglas; and her siblings, Cora Ann (Fox) Featherman, William Fox, Sr., and Clare C. Fox.

Carolyn is survived by her loving son, Robert Albanese, Jr., and his wife, Monika, of Northampton, PA; her devoted daughter, Wendy M. Douglas, of Southport, NC; and her daughter-in-law, Missy Albanese. She is also survived by her siblings: Bonnie (Robert) Bastedo of Bangor, PA; Jackie (Edward) Lindaberry of Palm Coast, FL; and Jill (Michael) Ostenski of Oak Island, NC. Carolyn was the cherished matriarch of her family and was revered by generations of relatives and friends.

The family extends their sincere gratitude to the staff at Terra Bella Senior Living in Southport for their kindness and compassionate care over the past two years.

A celebration of Carolyn’s life will be held on Saturday, June 6, at 11:00 a.m. at MacFadden Funeral Home, 325 Hardwick Street, Belvidere, New Jersey. Interment will follow at Belvidere Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice in her memory.

Online condolences may be made at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com

Peacock - Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service, Southport, North Carolina.