Carol D. Reff

Carol Reff, 82, of Barnegat, NJ passed away peacefully at home on April 3, 2026 surrounded by her two sons, Eric and Kristian. 

Born in Teaneck, NJ to her late parents, August and Dorothy Fricke, she was raised in the Westwood/Washington Township area. It was there that she met the late Eric Reff and they married at the Westwood United Methodist Church in 1965. A few years later, they welcomed their first son, Eric, in October 1968, followed by their second son, Kristian, in April 1971. 

Carol graduated from Westwood Regional High School in 1961 and Glassboro State College in 1965 with her bachelor’s degree in education. She started her career in Ridgewood and Hillsdale, but she spent most of her career teaching within the Westwood Regional School District. Following her passion for working with children with learning disabilities and special needs, Carol obtained her master’s degree in developmental disabilities from William Patterson University and acquired an advanced degree related to learning disabilities: teaching and consulting. Carol assisted countless students to grow, succeed, and to learn to the best of their abilities. Until her passing, she fondly kept in touch with many of her former students and their families.

In addition to her busy life as a teacher and mother, Carol devoted more than 20 years of service to the Bergen Council of the Boy Scouts of America. She rose through the volunteer ranks to become the Council Commissioner and was honored with the Silver Beaver Award, the highest national scouting award given to its volunteers. Carol also gave her time teaching Sunday School at the church where she and Eric were married.

After retiring from teaching in 2007, Carol and Eric moved to the Heritage Point Community in Barnegat. There, she embraced a vibrant new chapter of her life, enjoying the many social activities, bowling, bocce ball, Mahjong, women’s group, and community group trips with her many dear friends and neighbors. With this group, she traveled the world and created wonderful memories.

Carol had a remarkable gift for making friends and touching lives in ways she may never have fully realized. She was full of life and love. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

She is survived by her two loving sons, Eric A. Reff and Kristian A. Reff and his wife, Adrianna; brother-in-law, Ross Eilbacher, and niece, Tracey Agnew; sister-in-law Mona Behnke, nephew, Donald Behnke, and niece, Joy Custer. In addition to her husband, Eric, she is also predeceased by her sister, Barbara Fricke Eilbacher; brother-in-law, Donald Behnke; and niece, Randi Behnke Castelonia.

Services will be observed at 10 AM on May 1, 2026 at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Cemetery, Arneytown, NJ. It will be followed by a repass at 12:30 at Calloway’s in West Creek NJ.  To be part of the repass, please RSVP to her son Eric at Reff.eric@gmail.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Carol’s memory to the following foundations close to Carol’s heart: The Foundation for Prader-Willi Research (FPWR) at www.FPWR.org or The Tunnel to Towers Foundation at www.T2T.org

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