Patricia Carr Handlin Poplaski

Patricia Carr Handlin Poplaski of Indian Wells, CA, formerly of Nutley, NJ, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her five children on October 27, 2025.

Pat was born on March 3, 1939, in North Arlington, NJ to Michael and Lena (McGuigan) Carr. She graduated from Queen of Peace High School in 1957. In 1958, she married Allen Handlin and they resided in Kearny, NJ. Pat became a young widow in 1970, but persevered and raised five young children on her own which was her greatest accomplishment. She later married Raymond Poplaski and became stepmother to his daughter, Tara. In between working and raising her young family, Pat enjoyed working in her garden and taking care of her many houseplants. She loved going to garage sales, hunting for bargains, and playing games with her grandchildren including Scrabble, cards, and doing crossword puzzles.

Pat is survived by her five children and their families: Ellen Hart and husband James of Indian Wells, CA, Thomas Handlin and his late wife, Barbara, of Mechanicsburg, PA, Patricia Sost and husband Wayne of Leland, North Carolina, Linda Nick and husband Lenny of Sparta, NJ, Kelly Vocaturo and husband Frank of Sparta, NJ, and stepdaughter Tara Poplaski Martin of Toms River, NJ. Pat is also survived by nine grandchildren: Joseph Amirr, Mark Sost, Matthew Handlin, Caitlyn Handlin, Amanda Nick, Rachel Nick, Frank Vocaturo, Stephen Vocaturo, Michael Vocaturo, and one great grandson, Apollo Santiago-Handlin. She is also survived by her brother, Edward Carr, and sister-in-law Marianne Going Carr  of Huntington, NY and brother-in-law, Robert Beyer of Nutley, NJ.

A service to honor her life will be held at Thiele-Reid Funeral Home, 585 Belgrove Dr., Kearny, NJ on Saturday, November 22 from 9:30-11:30 am. A private burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association. http://heart.org

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