Carol Handerhan Newell, 80, of Manchester, died Thursday, July 21, 2022 at AristaCare Manchester. Born in Perth Amboy, she resided in Toms River for 50 years before moving to Manchester 8 years ago. Carol graduated from Woodbridge High School and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree at The College of New Jersey (formerly Trenton State College) and her master’s in education at Georgian Court University. She was an elementary school teacher for 37 years, most of those in Toms River Township, at East Dover Elementary. During her retirement years, she loved to travel. She enjoyed trips to Alaska, many countries in Europe, Egypt, Jordan, and China, among others. Many of her friends in later life were made on a tour bus or a cruise ship. Cruising with her grandchildren was among her favorite travel memories. She enjoyed the fun-loving company of the Red Hats for many years. She was a prolific letter writer and, because she was a second-grade teacher who taught cursive, she continued to handwrite lengthy letters and Christmas card notes to her many friends and former colleagues well past the point where the rest of us had either turned to the computer or else had given it up completely! An incurable animal lover, Carol had many pets over the years; she rescued kittens, found homes for strays, and fed many “critters” throughout her life. Carol is survived by her daughter Kim Nir and husband Ishai, of Hamilton, NJ; grandchildren Justin Nir and Carolyn Mayer, Devon Nir and Matthew Arsenault, and Dylan Nir and Claire Wiley; brother James Handerhan and wife Virginia; nephew Larry Handerhan and Donnelley McDowell; niece Kristen Atwood and husband James; grand-niece Nora Atwood; and lifelong dear family friend Mary Emmer. Visitation is Sunday, July 24, 1-5 PM with a 4 PM Service at Oliverie Funeral Home, 2925 Ridgeway Rd., Manchester. Interment is Monday, July 25, 10:30 AM at Clover Leaf Memorial Park, Woodbridge. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Carol’s name to Popcorn Park Zoo, 1 Humane Way, Forked River, NJ 08731, or your local humane society or animal rescue organization.