Obituary of Carolyn Jean Tevlin

Carolyn Jean (Vaughan) Tevlin- September 27, 1939 – April 13, 2020 Carolyn Jean (Vaughan) Tevlin, 80 years old, of Caldwell and Lavallette, New Jersey died peacefully on April 13, 2020 at Green Hill in West Orange, NJ. Carolyn (Sweet Caroline) was proud to have been born and raised in the Vailsburg section of Newark the third of four daughters of Frances and Cornelius Vaughan. She graduated from West Side High School, where she made lifelong friendships. She met the love of her life, Thomas Tevlin, at a dance at McGovern's Tavern. They were married for sixty wonderful years. Carolyn also spent most of her career in Newark first working for New Jersey Bell Telephone and then the County of Essex for 30 years. She had fond memories of Newark's movie houses and shopping at Hahne's and Bamberger's Basement. Carolyn and Tom made their home and raised their six children, Theresa, Tommy, John, Patrick, Michael and Kathleen in Maplewood. She made wonderful memories for them appearing as the Pocket Lady at the Tuscan School Fair and during long summer days at the Maplewood Community Pool. Carolyn was an avid reader and loved to crochet, crocheting afghans for all her children and grandchildren. She passed her pride of her Irish heritage down to her children all of whom have carried on those traditions. Among other honors, Carolyn was named Irish Woman of the Year by the Giblin Association. She took great joy in watching her sons and grandsons perform in the West Orange Friendly Sons of Shillelagh Club Pipe and Drum Band. Carolyn loved the Jersey Shore and was immensely proud to have provided a summer home for her ever-growing number of grandchildren in Lavallette. Baba, as Carolyn was known to her grandchildren presided over raucous games of checkers, cards and Monopoly. These were competitive events, as Baba was not one to automatically let a child win. Carolyn was a proud Democrat who was well known for her rousing, slightly off-key rendition of "Look for the Union Label". She loved to attend social events especially if it provided her the opportunity to wear a stylish hat. She was well read, loyal, funny and smart and possessed a one-of-a-kind laugh. She held strong opinions which she was never shy about expressing. She will be deeply and forever missed. Family was the center of Carolyn's life. In addition to her devoted husband Tom, she leaves behind her beloved children Theresa Dolan(Edward), Thomas, Jr.(Christine), John(Gay), Patrick(Brooke), Michael(Allison) and Kathleen Nulty(John). Carolyn also leaves behind eighteen adored grandchildren Tara, Megan, Colleen, Thomas, Erin, Sarah, Rachel, Ryan, Kiley, Quinn, Darby, Rory, Michaela, Brian, Sean, Jack, Michael, Kelly and five great-grandchildren Carter, Gabriel, Deacon, Alanna, Ethan Vaughan and her sisters Joan Soldavini, Patricia Prizzi and Virginia Zindell. Carolyn will now be reunited in Heaven with her cherished grandson Brendan. The Tevlin family would like to thank the staff at Green Hill for providing loving care to Carolyn. Due to the present circumstances a memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. Interment at Gates of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Donate Life America(in support of increasing the number of organ donors) for more information visit www.donatelife.net or Good Vibes & Easy Living Foundation (in memory of Carolyn's grandson Brendan P. Tevlin to carry out his devotion for service), for more information please visit goodvibeseasyliving.org or please mail donations to: Good Vibes & Easy Living 25 Lombard Drive West Caldwell, NJ 07006