Carol J. Bruinooge, 79, of Lodi passed away on April 3, 2025. She was born on August 29, 1945, to the late Nicholas and Lena (Hartman) Bruinooge and lived her entire life in Lodi.

Carol graduated from Eastern Christian Academy then began a career in banking. She retired after 29 years from what is now PNC Bank. After retirement she launched her own business, Me & My Vacuum, which kept her busy for a decade. After her second retirement she followed her heart and began nurturing children with her endless love, working in a nursery school and with individual families.

Through it all, Carol's faith and commitment to a life of service were apparent in everything she did. Over the years she taught Sunday school, served as a church elder and volunteered for the local food pantry. She loved her family and friends dearly and showered them all with affection at every chance.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents Nick and Lena, her brothers Jacob and James, and sister-in-law Helen Bruinooge. She is survived by many extended family members including cousins, her sister-in-law Berta Bruinooge, and three generations of nieces and nephews including Alan & Kathy Bruinooge, Lois Bruinooge & Dan Mullins, Eric & Debra Bruinooge and Evan Bruinooge & Lisa Largey. She also leaves behind Jonah, Joseph and Nabil Cantelmi, whom she helped raise and loved as if they were her own.

Carol will be missed by a wide circle of friends, including a best friend and many good friends with whom she shared laughter, joy, tears and faith. She embraced and enriched those around her and in turn, they blessed her tenfold with companionship and love. Her family is deeply grateful to all who supported Carol during her final days on Earth. We hope you know how much you meant to her.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 10 am at First Reformed Church of Hasbrouck Heights, 300 Washington Place, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604. A short graveside service will follow at Lodi Cemetery. Arrangements are by Costa Memorial Home in Hasbrouck Heights.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Carol's memory to the First Reformed Church of Hasbrouck Heights, 300 Washington Place, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604 or the Faith Reformed Church, 95 Washington St., Lodi, NJ 07644 (specify Food Pantry in memo).