Claire H Carlson

Claire Helen Carlson of Forked River, NJ passed away at the age of 89 on July 28th, 2023. Claire was born on January 2, 1934, in Elizabeth, NJ. Claire graduated from Rahway High School and lived in Rahway, NJ before moving to Forked River, NJ where she lived for 36 years. 

Claire was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Rahway and the Presbyterian Church of Toms River. Claire worked at NJ Bell and AT&T where she was a Sales Representative. Claire enjoyed cooking, reading, dancing, and listening to her belovedFrank Sinatra. While living in Rahway, Claire was a member of the Deutscher Club of Clark, NJ, and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Firemen in Rahway. Upon her move to the shore, Claire enjoyed frequenting the Lacey Elks with her husband Al, friends, and family to watch the boats and dance. Claire was fortunate to spend many years in retirement traveling the country. Claire and her husband Al completed two cross country road trips, visited Mexico and Hawaii several times, and spent numerous winters in their much-loved Delray Beach, Florida. Claire also enjoyed boating with her family on the Barnegat Bay, which fueled her love for making clams and blue-claw crabs for the family in the summertime. 

Claire had a big family that she loved dearly. Her family was themost important to her, and she loved spending time with them. Claire was predeceased by her beloved husband, Fire Captain Alfred Leonard Carlson, her loving daughter, Claire Edith (Smith) Osef, her beautiful granddaughter, Allison Taylor (Smith) Cottrell and her loving parents, Edith and Rudolf Thoms. She is survived by a loving son, Allen Terrill Smith and daughter-in-law Sharon Smith of Port Saint Lucie, FL and her loving daughter, Debra Lynn (Carlson) Missel and son-in-law Frederick Missel II of Forked River, NJ. She has fivegrandchildren, Frederick Richard Missel III and wife Faith Missel, Jessica Lynn Missel, Dale Terrill Osef, Jeffrey Allen Smith, and the late Allison Taylor (Smith) Cottrell and one great granddaughter, Taylor Madison Cottrell. Other surviving family members are her loving sister Rose Margaret Smith of Toms River, her loving brothers Rudolf Thoms and wife Arlene Thoms of Forked River, NJ and Lorenz Thoms and wife Cathleen Thoms of Goshen, CT. Claire was aunt to 15 beloved nieces and nephews and 18 great nieces and nephews. 

Claire’s bold and loving spirit will be missed by her family and friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Claire H Carlson, please visit our floral store.