Carol G Petz

                                              Caring, compassionate and full of grace   

On March 30, 2024, Carol Petz of Cranford, NJ passed away peacefully at age 82 from complications of End-Stage Alzheimer’s Disease.

Carol was born on December 14, 1941, in Mt Vernon, NY to Edith S. (nee Brandow) and Richard J. Guenther Jr. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Gerald D. Petz; son David G. Petz (Linda) of Clarks Summit, PA; daughter Deborah L. Oliver of Citrus Heights, CA; grandchildren Haley and Sarah Petz and Haden and Amelia Oliver; brother Richard W. Guenther of Chalfont, PA; and sister Laurie McGowan of Warminster, PA. Carol graduated from Scotch Plains/Fanwood High School (NJ) in 1959 and attended the University of Buffalo where she met Jerry, who would later become her husband and life companion.

Carol was a NJ Certified Pre-School teacher and taught at the Helen K. Baldwin Nursery School in Cranford NJ for 23 years. She was passionate about teaching young children. Carol was also  an active volunteer serving on and leading several committees at the Cranford United

Methodist Church. She also served on the town-wide Church Women United committee, and she spearheaded the Cranford United Methodist Church’s efforts at the Plainfield (NJ) Soup Kitchen for many years.

Carol’s quiet mannerism reflected onto those whom she loved, especially her children. She cherished nothing more than being surrounded by her family and friends. She loved to cook and bake, and most people easily recall her “Carol’s Carrots” dish. She also found great joy in spending time with her family at the shore house that she helped her father build when she was a teenager.

Carol’s visitation will be held at Gray Memorial Funeral Home, 12 Springfield Ave, Cranford on Saturday, April  13, 2024, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. A service celebrating Carol’s life, officiated by Rev. HyunHui Kim, PhD., will follow at 4:00 PM. Interment of her cremated remains will take place at Fairview Cemetery, 1100 E. Broad St, Westfield, NJ on Monday, April 15, 2024, at 10:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Carol G. Petz to the Alzheimer’s Association (website: alz.org) and/or to the Cranford United Methodist Church, 201 Lincoln Ave, E., Cranford NJ 07016.

Please go to: www.grayfuneralhomes.com to offer condolences.