She had bright red lips, a pearly white smile, twinkly eyes and always a wink, a wave and some love for a neighbor. She was former Fair Havenite Carly Emmons and she passed away peacefully on Sept. 19 at the age of 84.

Her voice had a distinct ring. It was unabashedly friendly, even a bit exotic. She gushed community love when she said hello in the aisles of the Fair Haven Acme back in the 1970s — always the fashion icon of the supermarket, usually capping a tasteful outfit with some sort of fashionable hat as she waved enthusiastically with a, “Hello, dear!” and a cheek kiss and hug to all she met up with.

Carly Emmons, with her own brand of class and acceptance, embraced individuality and diversity, too. She embodied fashion model perfection and class with a country club touch, but boldly bore not a single stifling judgement.

She lived what her family coined in her obituary as her motto:  “Remember to laugh, love, and embrace one another.”

If you knew Carly, even for a moment, you’d remember, too. I remember. I remember that smile, that warmth, that beauty in a neighbor … everybody’s neighbor … from the Acme aisles, to the house down the street. I remember my mother saying, “That Carly … what a beauty … she’s something else.”

Yes, she was.

RIP, neighbor. You are remembered with a big embrace. Thanks for the bright smiles, the exuding love, the loud laughter and the tight hug to all you knew as “dear.”

— Elaine Van Develde

Carly’s life history in her obituary from Thompson Memorial Home  …

Born on Jan. 27, 1933, in Red Bank, Carly was raised in Shrewsbury and attended RBR, RFH, and Baldwin Boarding School.

The daughter of Jonathan H. and Carlotta R. Niles, Carly was a lifelong resident of the Jersey Shore. Her passion for the ocean growing up as a member of Monmouth Beach Bath and Tennis Club, for which she swam on the swim team, was reflective of her passion for life.  She often rode her bike from Shrewsbury to Monmouth Beach to see her grandfather before her swim in the ocean.

In 1955 she married Ronald Emmons and decided to raise a family in which she had four children.

She was an avid tennis player and put a smile on the face of everyone she met and loved her family, friends, community, and church.

Carly is survived by her husband Ronald.  She was predeceased by her brother Jonathan.

She is also survived by: her sister Diana Niles King; her four children Taryn Freeman, Ronnie Emmons, Hope McCauley and Mark Emmons and his wife Lisa; and six grandchildren Ashley Emmons Levy and her husband Michael, Jackson Emmons, Cooper Emmons, Austin Freeman, Olivia McCauley, and Breanna McCauley.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the nurses and doctors of Monmouth Medical Center, Chelsea Assisted Living, and to Grace Hospice Care for their support during her final days.

A celebration of life service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Little Silver on Monday, Sept. 25 at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested a donation be made to Ocean Clean Action or Lunch Break, Red Bank, in Carly’s name.