Carolyn (Carol) M. Cortesa (Cole/Steele) age 81 of Auburn Georgia, formerly of Berkeley Township and Park Ridge, New Jersey passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 10, 2022. She was born on June 1st, 1941 in Hackensack NJ and resided in Park Ridge NJ most of her life before retiring to Toms River, Berkeley Twp NJ in 1995. In 2019 she made the move to a wonderful home found by her granddaughter Emily in Auburn Georgia to be near her beloved family. She worked as an automotive bookkeeper for many years. After retiring she managed a Dunkin Donuts shop in Park Ridge,NJ for more than three years. She was a member of the Pascack Reformed Church and a long-time member of Cpl Jedh C. Barker American Legion Post 153 Auxiliary both in Park Ridge, NJ In Silver Ridge Park East, Toms River NJ, she was a member of the fundraisers, Welcome club, Socialites as well as a member of their Senior bowling league and the Settlers Sr Bowling league. She was also in charge of the monthly calendar for the Silver Ridge Park East Association “Park Echo” publication for several years. She was predeceased by her parents Owen and Ethel Cole and her loving husband Frank Cortesa.
She is survived by her son Kenneth W. Steele and his wife Cathy and her grandchildren Emily and Jason Steele all of Hoschton Georgia. She absolutely adored and loved her “little family” and was so happy for the blessing of being able to move near them in 2019. She always said it meant the world to her to have her grandchildren and family just “stop by for coffee and a hug”. She is also survived by her stepsons, John Cortesa of Park Ridge, NJ, and Frank Cortesa and his wife Janine of Uxbridge, MA, and grandchildren Danielle Proulx and husband Matt and their children Elena, Henry, and Simon of Minnesota. Cathryn Cortesa and husband Vinh Nguyen and their son Jack of Ohio and Steven Cortesa of Massachusetts. She is also survived by her “girls” Emma and Lilly, her kitty companions who she loved so much. She was a loving, generous and fun person to everyone that knew her and was sometimes referred to as “everyone’s mom” and “Mom #2”. She had a wonderful personality and easily made friends with everyone she met. She had a perpetual “attitude of gratitude” and counted her blessings everyday. She will be missed dearly by so many. Visitation will take place on Friday, August 19, 2022, at Byrd and Flanigan Funeral Home 288 Hurricane Shoals Road NE, Lawrenceville, GA 30046. 11:00 am - 2:00 pm with memorial service immediately following. Burial to follow at Barrow Community Church Cemetery, 1385 Harmony Grove Church Rd, Auburn, GA 30011. Memorial donations to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital or American Humane are appreciated.
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