Carol Ann Mulkeen, 68 of Atlantic Highlands, passed away Thursday, February 16, after 2 years of battling cancer. A daughter of the late Marion and George Theisen, Carol was born in Brooklyn, New York on March 5, 1954. Carol was raised in Middletown, then moved to Colts Neck, where she lived for over 20 years before returning to the Bayshore area, living in Highlands and most recently Atlantic Highlands

A Fordham University graduate, Carol studied anthropology and continued fulfilling her love of music by taking classes at Julliard where she studied opera. A talented singer and passion for good music, she created a home for her family that was always filled with a soothing soundtrack, a smell of comforting home cooked meals, an infectious laugh and the most welcoming arms. Loved ones always looked forward to celebrating special occasions with Carol and her family, as everything she did, she did with immense amount of love, leaving the days to turn into long nights with no one wanting to be the first to leave.

As a devout Catholic, Carol loved sharing her faith with others. In her most recent years, she became the director of religious education at St Catherine’s Roman Catholic Church in Middletown and previously at OLPH in highlands NJ. Teaching came naturally. Her passion and love for the Holy Family flowed out of her with words of wisdom that were filled with compassion, understanding and desire to educate all ages. Her calm and inviting demeanor allowed children to look forward to learning about their faith. As a CCD teacher she always had the perfect ending to each class : homemade treats of course! She was known to bake loaves of bread from scratch, whip up the most delicious cookies and create a cake from scratch that you will never want to leave your tastebuds. Some may say, it must be the recipe, but those closest to Carol know, anything she made was made with love; her secret ingredient.

Carol had many jobs over the years. A trustworthy bookkeeper, creative pastry chef and designer of seasonal cookies, teacher, and religious educator; but her most rewarding job of all was being a mother. Creating a world for her three children where they always felt safe, encouraged and loved. Carol will always be fondly remembered as a devoted and loving mother, sister, aunt and friend to many.

Carol is survived by her husband John  Mulkeen and their three children; a daughter Justine Mulkeen and  her husband Daniel Skelton; along with two sons, Nicholas Mulkeen and Sean Mulkeen. She also leaves behind her brother Steven Theisen and sister; Lois, wife of Andrew Scott and their children Oscar and Isabella.

Friends and family are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Catherine Roman Catholic Church, Bray Ave in Middletown, at 9:30 am on Tuesday, February 21st. The Burial and Committal will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

 In lieu of flowers, donations to St Catherine’s Roman Catholic Church in North Middletown, NJ  may be made in Carol's memory. Please write “In Memory of Carol Ann”.

St Catherine’s Roman Catholic Church

110 Bray Ave

North Middletown, NJ  07748