Carol (Routsong) Clinger

Carol Clinger passed away peacefully on August 5, 2021 at the age of 95.  She has been a resident of Mahwah, New Jersey since 1965.  She leaves behind her loving partner of 40 years, Mike Mosia, two daughter’s; Catherine Augustine, and Candace Clinger and sons-in-law, Kyle Peck and Bob Perry (respectively), granddaughter Kyla Stewart Smith and husband Ben Smith, and two great granddaughters Stella Rae Smith and Hazel Johna Smith.

Carol was born in South Bend, Indiana on Christmas Day in 1925.  Her family moved to Dayton, Ohio where she attended public school.  Upon graduating she attended acting school and two years at The Ohio State University. Carol, and her husband Ralph Clinger, moved to Cincinnati, where they owned and managed three Merle Norman Cosmetic Studios.  She continued to explore her love of acting in a wide variety of character roles in local community theatres and summer stock between Columbus and Cincinnati.

When Carol moved to New Jersey she co-founded the Mahwah community theatre group “Small Town and Fancy Players” where she directed musicals and plays for 20 years.  During that time, she returned to college to finish her education at Ramapo College of New Jersey where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education.  She then taught English and Theatre at Mahwah High School for 18 years.

Education was always instilled within the Clinger family philosophy, so teaching came easy to Carol.  She was an extremely popular teacher and theatre director who inspired many of all ages who expressed a passion for the theatre and acting.  During that time, she met the man who became her true love, Mike Mosia who was cast in a musical theatre production that she was directing.  After her husband passed away, a relationship developed between Mike and Carol and it blossomed into 40 years of joy and commitment to one another and their respective family’s.  In retirement, they were the happiest, most social, and well-rounded couple traveling to all corners of the world.  Due to her unfiltered zeal for life-long learning she continued strong, memorable, and unforgettable friendships with those she met through years of international adventures and discovery.  Carol will be missed by her surviving partner, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends, neighbors and many from across the globe.

Per Carol's wishes there will be no public memorial service. The family will spread her ashes together at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be given in the name of Carol Clinger to the Mahwah Museum.  Send donations to: Mahwah Museum - 201 Franklin Turnpike, Mahwah, New Jersey 07430

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