Beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, and grandmother, Carol Ann Lynn, 71, of Ocean, NJ passed away peacefully on Sunday evening, May 9, 2021.

In 1949, Carol was born in Brooklyn to the late Agnes and Anthony Insetta. She was raised in a warm-spirited family surrounded by her four younger siblings, Patricia Giangrande, Louis Insetta, Deborah Insetta, and Anthony Insetta. It was here that she garnered her sharp sense of humor, found her love of books, developed her storytelling skills, and honed her talent for Italian cooking.

Carol attended Catholic school and graduated from Bay Ridge High School in 1967. At 14, she met Louis Lynn, the love of her life, a devoted friend and partner who made her laugh. They married, raised a family, and spent the rest of her life together despite some minor disputes about how to best drive a car.

Carol was a kind and selfless mother who understood the value of quality time and the importance of close-knit relationships between siblings, cousins, and friends. Growing up, her children would hang around the kitchen sneaking mouthfuls of her legendary meatballs. These, along with her eggplant parmigiana, lasagna, and famous red sauce, were often requested in lieu of birthday presents.

When Carol’s children were mostly grown, she reinvented herself and went to work as part of the research department at Brookdale Community College where she spent over fifteen years in service to the school.

Carol adored her grandchildren and delighted in spoiling them, not with lavish gifts, but with her time and undivided attention. Summer vacations were spent as a family on Long Beach Island where Carol lovingly served as “cruise director”, skillfully balancing days at the beach with plenty of ice cream, competitive family board games, pancake breakfasts, pocket money for the 5 & 10, and warm nights at the boardwalk rides.

Throughout her life Carol smiled always, put others at ease, acted responsibly, and always chose kindness.  She believed most problems could be solved if you combined wisdom with a quality to-do list.  All who knew her felt safe and often inspired in the presence of her quiet strength.

Carol is survived by her loving husband of over 51 years, Louis. Also surviving are her children, Gary and his wife Meagan Lynn of Berkeley Heights, NJ, Tara and her husband Reid Jordan of Boston, MA, and Mark and his wife Jennifer Ashkar of Holmdel, NJ and her eight beloved grandchildren, Bridget, Tommy, Garrett, Lucy, Mark, Emma, Lilah, and Zoe.

Gathering Monday, May 17 from 2pm – 6pm at Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 S. Holmdel Road, Holmdel, NJ. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Tuesday, May 18 at 10:15am at St. Leo the Great, 50 Hurleys Lane, Lincroft, NJ. A burial will follow at 12:30pm at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veteran’s Cemetery, 350 Province Line Road, Wrightstown, NJ.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in her name be directed to the American Cancer Society (www.Cancer.org)

KINDLY NOTE: for the health and safety of all guests, current state and local health protocols of social distancing and the wearing of face masks are being strictly enforced.