CAROL JEAN MCGOWEN (nee Haleluk), 65 of South Seaside Park and Port Charlotte, FL, died Saturday, December 27, 2008, in Toms River, NJ. Born in New Brunswick, she grew up in Highland Park, where she graduated high school. With her husband John, she began raising their two boys in South Plainfield and then moved to Park Ridge, NJ, where she spent most of her adult years. She was a wonderful cook and had a great talent for creating things around the home, from drapes and upholstery to the intricate Christmas village that filled the family dining room each year. She had a compassion for underprivileged children and was a long-time sponsor for several little girls living in poverty. She loved all things cuddly, and collected stuffed bears of all types. But her special passion was for the many dogs she raised and cared for over the years. She leaves behind her three loved bichons, Maggie, Annabel, and Snowflake, whose eyes reflect the sadness of her loss. Carol was predeceased by her parents, George and Ann Haleluk of Highland Park. She is survived by her husband John; her son Michael, his wife Kara, and granddaughter Jessica of Long Valley, NJ; and her son Darren of Montclair, NJ. Also surviving are her sisters, Ann Marie Whiteley of Lake City, FL, and Virginia Henderson of Edison, NJ. Family will receive friends from 2 - 4 pm and 7- 9 pm Tuesday December 30th, 2008 at the Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals 809 Central Avenue Seaside Park, NJ 08752. A prayer service will be held at the funeral home 11:00am Wednesday December 31, 2008. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Christian Children's Fund, PO Box 26507, Richmond, VA 23261-6507. Condolences may be sent by visiting www.ryanfuneralhome.com