Carol D. Kosobucki

Obituary for Carol Delbasco Kosobucki January 6, 1932 – June 15, 2025
Carol Delbasco Kosobucki passed away peacefully on the afternoon of June 15, 2025, at the age of 93. In the days leading up to her passing, she was surrounded by visits, laughter, and stories from family and friends.
A life shaped by education and courage
Born at home in Newark, New Jersey, Carol was the younger daughter of Henry and Eleanor Delbasco. During WWII, the family bought a farm in Matawan, initially only going there during the summers. They moved to the farm permanently in 1947 and Carol graduated from Matawan High School in 1949.
In an era when few women pursued higher education, her father was unwavering: both his daughters would attend university. When a banker questioned the wisdom of such an expense, Henry replied simply, "Educating my daughters will never be a bad investment."
Carol proved him right. She went on to earn her B.A. from the University of Miami in 1953. It was there that a perceptive professor recognized the dyslexia Carol had quietly worked around her whole life. Determined to help other children receive support earlier than she had, Carol later earned a Master's + 30 from Kean College, with additional studies in speech and language, and psychology.
A pioneer in special education
In 1955, she spent time in Virginia Beach as a speech therapist in a Junior League program. Following the passage of the Beadleston Act, Carol was asked by Superintendent Dr. Pollock to be part of Sayreville's first-ever special education program. She accepted without hesitation. For more than three decades, Carol embraced differences and celebrated progress; students came to believe they could do more than others might expect.
Roots that ran deep
Though her teaching career brought her into many schools, Carol's heart remained on the family farm in Matawan, where she and her family grew tomatoes and strawberries of the highest quality. Together with her husband, the late Henry J. Kosobucki, she raised their children, John and Lynne, instilling in them the values of integrity, humor, and kindness. Carol later cared for both her parents and her in-laws with the same compassion and grace she gave her students.
Devotion from near and far
Carol was supported by her children throughout her life. Her daughter, Lynne, who lived locally, was a constant presence, chauffeuring her to appointments and preparing her favorite meals.
Her son, John, who lived and worked across Europe and Asia, spoke with her daily. Despite the distance, he made sure Carol always felt close, keeping her up to date on family adventures and making frequent visits with his wife Laurie and their children.
A spirit of adventure
Carol's adventurous spirit led her to travel widely with her family, making unforgettable memories on journeys to the Galapagos, Tanzania, cowboy country in the American Midwest, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Malta, Poland, Austria, the Czech Republic, the UK, and many other cherished destinations. These trips were filled with laughter and learning and a deepened connection with those she loved.
The joy of grandchildren
The only thing that delighted her more than her beloved dogs was her role as "Grandma." Whether building blanket forts, recounting daily stories, including corrective grammar, or listening with genuine curiosity, she poured love into her grandchildren, John James and Alexandra Mary. She loved to hear about their life abroad, school, and rowing regattas. In her eyes they were perfect; in theirs, she was a constant support, full of love.
Gratitude for caregivers and community
In her final years, Carol was deeply grateful for her care team, individuals who, in her words, "treated me like their own mothers." They spoke of families, faith, politics, and life's great questions; always respecting alternative points of view and making space for the stories she loved to share. Their kindness and humor brought her great comfort.
A legacy of possibility
Carol leaves behind her daughter, Lynne; her son, John, and his wife, Laurie; and her cherished grandchildren, John James and Alexandra Mary. She is also remembered fondly by her niece Donna Wooster, her nephews Kevin Kosobucki and Jeffrey Kosobucki, countless former students, and an extended family that shared her belief that every child deserves to be heard.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to an educational charoity of your choice, perhaps supporting students with learning differences, continuing Carol's lifelong mission of turning "Why bother?" into "Why not?"
Family, friends, former students, and loved ones are invited to share memories and reflections on Carol's extraordinary life at https://www.oldbridgefh.com/obituaries/Carol-D-Kosobucki?obId=43017424. She showed us all that with patience, courage, and love, a single person can change many lives for the better.