Obituaries

In Memoriam: Award-Winning RFH Tower Players Costume Designer, Carole Malik, 80

Award-winning costume designer for Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) shows and area theater, Carole Joan Malik, of Middletown, passed away on Nov. 25. She was 80.

“An avid and talented seamstress, her long career began at the age of 12 when she first learned to sew, even designing and making her own wedding dress. She continued to hone this skill up until the last year of her life, and her creativity and talent remain unmatched. Her sewing accomplishments include costume designer for RFH, Phoenix Productions, and The Premier Theatre Company. After being awarded the Count Basie Award for Outstanding Costume Design numerous times, the award is now forever named in her honor. Carole also performed in many theater productions and was even a featured extra in Bruce Springsteen’s “Lonesome Day” music video. In addition, Carole has served as secretary and member of the board of The Premier Theatre Company. 

“A life-long love of the beach continued as a member of Ship Ahoy Beach Club and Fair Haven Sailing Club (River Rats). Carole was an avid bowler, participating in a morning league with the “Oak Leaves” team in Middletown.

“She was a fiercely dedicated mom to all her five children, raising all of them to be confident, accomplished women. When she wasn’t schlepping the girls around in the “Malik 7” van to Girl Scouts, various sports, music lessons, and other activities, Carole could be found teaching CCD at Saint Catharine’s Church, on the family sailboat Sea Jay, at the beach, sewing, crafting or participating in musical theater. As her daughters grew up, she spent many years as an active Girl Scout leader.

“Family came first to Carole, a value that was instilled in all those around her. The hole left by Carole’s passing is impossible to fill.

Loved ones of Carole Malik in her obituary

More about Carole …

Carole grew up in New Brunswick and “immediately brought joy into the world.” In 1964, Carole met her true love, Joseph on a blind date. The two were inseparable from that point on and Carole and Joe were married on Aug. 18, 1968, and enjoyed 55 years of marriage, raising five daughters.

Prior to moving to Middletown, New Jersey with her new husband, Carole graduated from Montclair State College with a degree in Education. She went on to teach for many years as a math/science teacher.

Carole was predeceased by Pauline and Zane Cwirko.

She is survived by: her loving husband, Joe; her daughters, Christine (and Steven) Brewer and granddaughter, Caroline, of Charles Town, WV, Judith Ann Malik, of New York City, Captain Joan Malik, JAGC, U.S. Navy of Kailua, Hawaii, Catherine (and Alexander) Birmingham, and grandchildren, Colin and Amelia, of North Yarmouth, ME, and Janet (and Sean) Dorgan and grandchildren, Emma and Lily, of Red Bank.

Visitation was held at the John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank, on Nov. 30. Funeral mass was held on Dec. 1 at Saint Catharine’s Church in Holmdel.

Flowers are welcome. In addition, donations in Carole’s name may be made to The Premier Theatre Company.  

— Edited obituary prepared by family via John E. Day Funeral Home