Carole Joan Malik, 80, of Middletown, passed away Nov. 25, 2023.
Carole grew up in New Brunswick and immediately brought joy into the world. In 1964 Carole met her true love Joseph on a blind date. The two were inseparable from that point on and married Aug. 18, 1968. They enjoyed 55 years of marriage and raised five daughters.
Prior to moving to Middletown with her new husband, Carole graduated from Montclair State College with a degree in education. She went on to teach mathematics and science for many years.
Once settled into a new house in Middletown, Carole and Joe began a family. She was a fiercely dedicated mom to all her five children, raising them to be confident, accomplished women. When she wasn’t schlepping the girls around in the “Malik 7” van to Girl Scouts, various sports, music lessons and other activities, Carole could be found teaching CCD at St. Catharine’s Church, on the family sailboat Sea Jay, at the beach, sewing, crafting or participating in musical theater. As her daughters grew up, she spent many years as an active Girl Scout leader.
An avid and talented seamstress, her long career began at the age of 12 when she first learned to sew, even designing and making her own wedding dress. She continued to hone this skill up until the last year of her life; her creativity and talent remain unmatched. Her sewing accomplishments include costume designer for Rumson Fair Haven High School, Phoenix Productions, and The Premier Theatre Company. After receiving the Basie Award for Outstanding Costume Design numerous times, the award is now forever named in her honor.
Carole also performed in many theater productions and was even a featured extra in Bruce Springsteen’s “Lonesome Day” music video.
Carole also served as secretary and member of the board of The Premier Theatre Company.
A lifelong love of the beach continued as a member of Ship Ahoy Beach Club and Fair Haven Sailing Club (River Rats). Carole was an avid bowler, participating in a morning league with the “Oak Leaves” team in Middletown.
Family came first to Carole, a value that was instilled in all those around her. The hole left by Carole’s passing is impossible to fill.
Carole was predeceased by Pauline and Zane Cwirko, and is survived by her loving husband Joe; her daughter Christine (and Steven) Brewer and granddaughter Caroline Brewer of Charles Town, West Virginia; daughter Judith Ann Malik of New York City; daughter Cpt. Joan Malik, JAGC, U.S. Navy, of Kailua, Hawaii; daughter Catherine (and Alexander) Birmingham and grandchildren Colin and Amelia Birmingham of North Yarmouth, Maine; and daughter Janet (and Sean) Dorgan and grandchildren Emma and Lily Dorgan of Red Bank.
Visitation will be held from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30 at the John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank. A Funeral Mass will be held at 9 a.m. Dec. 1 at St. Catharine’s Church in Holmdel. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Middletown.
Flowers are welcome. In addition, donations in Carole’s name may be made to The Premier Theatre Company.
Memories and condolences may be shared at johnedayfuneralhome.com.
This article originally appeared in the November 30 – December 6, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
