Carly Anne Vena was a loving mother, daughter, sister, granddaughter and friend to so many. She left this world suddenly Sept. 27, 2022, at the age of 46.
Carly leaves behind her son Michael; mother Marie; grandmother Marie; sister Ellamarie; brother Joe; sister-in-law Lauren; nieces and nephew, Julia, Chloe and Travis; and so many aunts, uncles, cousins and countless friends.
Carly was born March 3, 1976, to Allan and Marie Vena in Long Branch. She was a proud graduate of MAST High School on Sandy Hook. Carly followed her dream path to the music industry in New York City, working side by side with music legends she had rocked to as a kid. During this time, she had an amazing surprise: a son Michael. He became her passion. Carly was a wonderful mother, raising Michael to have the same caring heart she had.
Carly developed a passion for photography and changed her artistic path with the “all in” approach, becoming a fulltime photographer. Her work has been internationally published and has received multiple awards for APP Best of the Best which she was so proud of.
Carly was the friend of all friends to so many. She was always kind, charitable, funny and exactly what you needed when things were upside down. She was there for you. Carly wanted to give to the end. Her last wish was to give life to others and that is what she did; NJ Sharing Network was able to find recipients for Carly’s organs. This was Carly’s final good deed. We all loved her!
Visitation was Oct. 2 at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. Funeral services were held Oct. 4 at the funeral home. Interment followed at Bayview Cemetery, Leonardo.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the NJ Sharing Network at njsharingnetwork.org.
The article originally appeared in the October 6 – 12, 2022 print edition of The Two River Times.
