Berkeley Remembers Carly For Her Courage, Perseverance, Smile

BERKELEY, N.J. — Carly Fetzer's legacy will forever shine as bright as her smile. Family and the Berkeley community remember Carly for her spunk, courage and perseverance as she enjoyed life and battled a congenital heart defect.

Carly, 18, passed away Friday afternoon at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Carly was a Special Needs Ambassador at the Bayville Elks Lodge and a 2018 Central Regional High School graduate.

Her favorite pastimes included talking on the phone, attending her twin sister Ryanne's softball games and vacationing in Myrtle Beach, S.C., according to her obituary. Carly and the community symbiotically uplifted each other and pushed each other forward.

"Her time spent in school was always highlighted by the unwavering support of the students and staff members," her obituary says. "Everyone welcomed Carly with open arms at every school she attended. The outpouring of love from our community has been both humbling and comforting. No words could ever truly express how heartwarming it was to know that we were not on this journey alone."

Carly's final days featured some happy moments. She woke up on Easter to see if the Eastern Bunny came. Carly saw an Easter basket and excitedly claimed, "He came!" before enjoying some of the Mini Oreos in her basket.

Carly's grandmother passed away 18 days before her. Carly is survived by her parents, Robert and Claudine; her twin sister, Ryanne; and her aunts, Michele Gogger of Forked River and Kim Fetzer of Barnegat. Then there's an entire community that supported Carly through her life, with passion sometimes visible miles away on occasions "Team Carly" wears red in her honor.

Her family requests everyone wear red or their "Team Carly" shirts to the viewing at Riggs Funeral Homer (130 North Route 9, Forked River) on Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m., plus 9:30 to 10 a.m. Thursday.

A funeral liturgy will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Barnabas Catholic Church (33 Woodland Road, Bayville). An entombment will follow at Ocean County Memorial Park, Toms River.

"I am so very sorry," said Mayor Carmen F. Amato. "My heart is broken. Carly was a courageous young lady who inspired a community. My thoughts and prayers go out to Carly and the entire Fetzer family during this difficult time. My God bless them all."

"Claudine, I have no words," wrote Andrew Prokop. "Heaven gained a most perfect angel today. I believe that you all gave her as much love as she gave back. I believe that she has no more suffering and is dancing with her grandma, smiling and laughing about beautiful memories. I believe she would want more than anything for you to celebrate her tenacity, patience, perseverance, and loving spirit."

"She was the biggest cheerleader for all of us playing on the softball field, and always gave the biggest and richest hugs," wrote Casey Horn. "You guys gave her the best life she could’ve had, and I am so grateful to have met you all, and to have been apart of Carly’s life."

Carly was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. She inspired countless people, and Berkeley Township created another way she can continue doing so. The Township declared earlier this year that Feb. 12 will be "Carly Day" in Berkeley Township.

In lieu of flowers, Carly's family requests donations in her memory to The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia/Give the Fit of Childhood. You can donate online. They would appreciate donations using the option designating "research."

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