Obituary of Carole Elaine Grove

Folks not able to attend are able to watch the Service live by clicking here.

Carole Elaine Grove passed away peacefully and surrounded by family in Denville, NJ, on Monday, November 28, 2022 at the age of 83. Carole was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend who will be missed dearly.

Carole was a woman full of love and courage, who celebrated life with family and friends. She is survived by her 3 daughters, Carleen Anne Mulqueen, Brenda Gail Mulqueen and Jennifer Sue Aponte as well as her older sister Audrey Lorraine Botta. She was predeceased by her husband Abram Ellsworth Grove III and her younger brother, Ronald Richard Eschenbach Sr.

Born on May 13, 1939 in Queens, NY to Henry Eschenbach and Viola Katherine Smith, Carole was one of three siblings who grew up mainly in West Caldwell, NJ. Her father worked in technologies of the time in radio, Xray, and power maintenance ending his career with Westinghouse Electric Corporation. Her mother worked as an executive secretary at Annin Flag Company at the time of her retirement. As a young girl, Carole loved nature and animals, having chickens, and guinea pigs for pets. A socially active teen, Carole enjoyed her Lajames club, working at the local movie theatre and being a librarian. She even did some modeling after graduating from high school. In 1960, Carole married Jack Mulqueen and had 3 daughters, Carleen Anne, Brenda Gail and Jennifer Sue.
 

Carole was a working mother early on as an executive secretary who later advanced to office manager at several firms including The Motor Club of America, NJ Natural Gas, Aristographics and Fox Valve. During this time, Carole attended County College of Morris during the evenings and graduated with an Associates Degree. Carole was later certified as an Elementary Substitute teacher and worked in the Rockaway Township system for many years before finally fully retiring.

Carole married Abram Ellsworth Grove III on June 23, 1978 and relocated to White Meadow Lake in Rockaway Township, NJ. Together, Carole and Abe designed and built their dream home which includes beautiful gardens, decks and a fish pond that were lovingly tended and cultivated by Carole over the years. Their home became the happy gathering place for all holidays with their daughters and 5 grandchildren, Laura Evelyn Flynn, Kenneth George Flynn III, James Scott Flynn, Michael Abram Aponte and Lily Christine Alexandra Mulqueen.  Carole was a wonderful Grandma who loved to spend quality time with her grandchildren.  She enjoyed taking them to museums, zoos, parks, amusement parks and the movies. She also loved hosting sleepovers at her house setting up fun indoor tents and reading classic books to her grandchildren. Carole loved picking out special gifts for the children making their holidays special. They brought her immense joy and she was very proud of each one of them.

Carole was an avid flower gardener who loved to get her hands in the soil. Her gardens were beautiful and extensive covering 3 levels in her yard. Her back deck included a pond with waterfalls where she tended to her fish daily including some Koi. Her wooded yard had paths to a river that she cultivated as well. Carole loved animals and had a menagerie of pets over the years including dogs, cats, guinea pigs, ferrets, fish, parakeets, a cockatoo, chickens, ducks as well as wild animals who often visited such as pea hens. Carole had a strong spiritual life and volunteered as a Sunday School Teacher and Sunday School Superintendent for several years with Our Savior Lutheran Church in Stanhope, NJ. She later practiced at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Mountain Lakes and most recently was an active member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.  She was also an active member of the White Meadow Lake Friendship Senior Citizens Club enjoying many activities and outings. With these friends, Carole and Abe hosted many parties including their elaborately decorated and fun Halloween parties.  She will be sorely missed but expressed her steadfast faith in God while cherishing every moment of life.

Friends and relatives may visit on Saturday, December 3rd from 3 – 6 pm at the Norman Dean Funeral Home, Denville.  The Funeral service will be held on Sunday, December 4th at 2 pm at Holy Trinity Church, Rockaway Twp with repast to follow at Carole and Abram’s home. Interment will take place on Monday, December 5th at 11 am at the First Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Rockaway. To celebrate Carole’s life and her love of flowers, in Spring, her favorite season, please plant the seeds that will be provided and enjoy watching them bloom. Please feel free to leave a condolence, light a candle, or share your favorite memory of Carole here to continue to celebrate her life.