Carole Anne Ahlbach Trafford, 82, of Ewing Township passed away on Tuesday evening, July 22, 2025 with her loving children by her side.  

Born in Trenton, to Bertha (Neeff) and James F. Ahlbach, she was a lifelong area resident. Carole was a graduate of Monmouth University and was a beloved second grade teacher for the Trenton Public School District. She took a pause from teaching to raise her children, then returned to the classroom until her retirement from Parker Elementary School. 

She loved being a teacher but becoming a mom and then a grandmom was her biggest joy. Her Grandma time was the brightest spot of her life. She loved shopping and was always fashionable.  

Carole had a smile that could light up a room, a great sense of humor and an infectious laugh.

Predeceased by her parents, her loving brother James F. Ahlbach, Jr. and his wife Kathy, and her former husband and best friend, John E. Trafford. She is survived by her daughter, Deborah Delutis, son Gregory and his wife Jaime, her beautiful grandchildren, Kyle and Jacob Delutis, Emma, Rosie and James Trafford, bonus grandson Alex Zuchowski. Also survived by her former son-in-law Peter Delutis. Several nieces and many lifelong friends.  

We would like to express our extreme gratitude to the staff of Preferred Care at Mercer for their great care and love given to our mother for the past 9 years. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, July 28, 2025 at 11:00AM at The Church of St. Ann, 1253 Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648. 

Interment will be held at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hamilton.

The visitation for Carole will be held on Monday morning from 9:30-11:00AM at the church.  There will be no visitation hours at the funeral home.