Obituary of Carol Suzanne Droege

Carol Suzanne Droege (Van Lingen) departed this life on Sunday morning, September 4 th , 2022 surrounded by loving family. Born on September 4, 1963, Carol grew up in Marlborough, MA. Always a proud to be a MHS Panther where she was a cheerleader and active participant in student body life. Carol continued that participation as she co-led the reunion committee every 5 years since her graduation.

A proud daughter of Emmy and Ron Cook, some of Carol’s warmest memories were with them at their beloved camp in at Fryeburg, ME.

Carol would not hesitate to say that her greatest achievement is the life of her two children, Paige and Sophia, whom she had with her first husband, Kendal Osbourne. She treasured them both and often mentioned how proud she is of the people they have become.

The last chapter of her life was a happy one, living an artist’s life with her husband Michael Droege with whom she was able to create an extraordinary amount of happiness.

She leaves behind a legacy of vibrant joy with every group of people she encountered – from high school friends, to youth group kids from her time at Westminster Presbyterian Church, as manager of a number of small businesses and churches, to finally the legacy she was building at Wilson Memorial Church, and the endless stream of friends whom she considered her chosen family. While Carol’s loss is deeply felt, her life continues in all of those who had the pleasure of encountering her.

Carol is survived by her children, Paige, Sophia, Taylor, Jackson, and Calvin, siblings Theo and his wife Kara, Claudine and her husband Jay, mother Emma, and countless other family and friends whose she loved dearly.

A celebration of her life will be held at the Wilson Memorial Church in Watchung, NJ on September 24 at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice in Princeton, NJ to support her passion of full inclusion and love to the LGBTQIA+ community.