Our beloved mother, Caroline Furst, 86, passed away on March 13, 2023 in New Providence, NJ. She was surrounded by family at Lantern Hill where she lived with her loving husband, Howard.
She was born September 27, 1936 in Peterborough, England, to Alfred Orry Caine and Sybil Ethel Tyler Wootton. Caroline grew up on the Isle of Man, shrouded by the protective mist of this magical island and happily swimming in the ice cold water of the Irish Sea.
She trained at the London School of Occupational Therapy and then in 1957, traveled on the Queen Mary to the equally magical land of New Jersey. She came to America for a post graduate work study program, but fell for the Garden State’s undeniable charms – and the hamburgers and chocolate ice cream sodas at Howard Johnson’s.
But it was another Howard that really stole her heart.
She met Howard Furst while she was acting at the Little Theatre of East Orange and Howard was designing and building sets. Her irresistible accent instantly won her plumb roles at the theatre and the lifelong love of Howard. The couple married in 1962 and it’s been a love story for the ages. Their union continues to inspire friends and family and certainly set the bar high for all future Manx/New Jersey relationships.
Caroline took a job at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange, NJ where she worked as an Occupational Therapist and later became Director of Occupational Therapy.
Caroline and Howard moved to Berkeley Heights, NJ in 1968 where they raised a close family and had wonderful and hilarious adventures every day. Caroline loved going to the Jersey shore where the family became very active members of the Ocean Gate Yacht Club. The family frolicked on the beaches and sailed the summers away in Ocean Gate, NJ for many years.
She volunteered at the Berkeley Heights Public Library, was president of the PTA for Berkeley Heights schools, volunteered with children and ran a youth group at the yacht club.
Caroline loved traveling with Howard and in recent years, met a wonderful group of new friends when they moved to Lantern Hill in New Providence.
A lifetime lover of nature, theatre and opera, Caroline was a warm, vibrant person who always made you feel better by being in her presence. She made sure people were given attention and respect and that you felt loved and cared for.
She was at the center of a very close and loving family and is survived by her loving husband Howard and their children: David and his wife Susan, Susie and her husband Michael, and Jeremy and his wife Jen. Plus, their wonderful grandchildren, Lindsey, Lauren, Alison, Andrew, Jonathan and Maya.