Branchburg, NJ – Elena Carole, born on May 25, 1937, entered into eternal rest to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on Saturday, May 14, 2022. She was born in Armenia, El Salvador, Central America to Juan Castro and Susana Zelada.

Elena lived a humble life and went on to have four children from her first marriage:  Rolando Erazo, Fernando Erazo, Sonny Lefkowitz and Eldina Flint. She moved to America in 1966 because she wanted to provide a better life for her children. She worked hard to establish herself in America by doing things such as taking English classes at Thomas Jefferson High School in Elizabeth, NJ. She met, fell in love with and married Kenneth Carole. She went on to grow her family with 2 more children. Patricia Carole-O'Reilly and Eileen Garrity completed her family of 6 children. Her children never felt like they were half-siblings because of the love they were taught by Elena and Kenneth. He embraced her 4 as his own; they were family. She worked at Newark Airport for Host International from 1974 to 1992 as a head Bartender and met various celebrities. She decided to stop working in 1992 to help raise her grandchildren, who she was devoted to. She was a grandmother to 12:  Monique Weber, John Flint, Jacyln Ramos, Sonny Flint, Kylie Lefkowitz, Julia Piccillo, Noah Flint, Erin O'Reilly, Michael McMahon, Catherine McMahon, Liam O' Reilly and Katelin O'Reilly.  She was a great-grandmother to 12: Riley Weber, Austin Weber, Scarlett Flint, Sophia Flint, Jacob Flint, Miracle Flint, Gabriel Scott, Valerie Flint, Natalie Flint, Zeke Flint, Elena Ramos and Sophia Ramos.

Elena and Kenneth started their life as a married couple living in Elizabeth, NJ from 1969 to 1971.  Then they moved to Irvington, NJ from 1971-1973. They bought their first home in Maplewood, NJ where they raised their family from 1973 to 1996. Next, they moved to Middlesex, NJ for 2 years and then bought their house in Branchburg in 1999.

Elena had a passion for language, teaching herself Greek in addition to English. She traveled extensively and visited numerous countries. Elena had an unending love for El Salvador, referring to it as "my little country", she visited many times throughout the years.

Elena was a person of many interests such as Broadway theatre, music, travel and her small collections.  None of these came close to the love that she had for her family. People who met her immediately took a liking to her. She had the innate ability to make people feel comfortable, loved and important as if they were her favorite person. She taught us unconditional love and was the kind of mother who supported and encouraged us throughout our lives. When we fell, she picked us up. The rest of our extended family will attest to these words because she helped them and loved them also. She loved all of her in-laws and brought them into the family with open arms. She will be deeply missed, forever loved and imprinted in our hearts.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation at Countryside Funeral Home, 724 Route 202 North, Three Bridges, NJ 08887 on Tuesday, May 17 from 5-9 p.m. A graveside service will take place the following day on Wednesday, May 18 at 12:00 p.m. at Hollywood Cemetery, 1621 Stuyvesant Avenue, Union, NJ 07083. Please feel free to send flowers or send donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 which was Elena's favorite charity and one that she supported for many years. To send condolences to the family or light a candle in memory of Elena, please visit www.CountrysideFuneralHome.com .