Carol Ann Barney Chandler

Carol Barney Chandler passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 with her family by her side.

Carol Barney Chandler's story is one of curiosity, creativity, and quiet courage. Born in Hackensack, New Jersey, to Wilton Theodore Barney and Irene Barney, she grew up with a natural sense of wonder that would shape everything she touched. She went on to graduate from Beaver College (now Arcadia University), carrying that same spirit into a career as a newspaper reporter, where she earned awards for her reporting and editorial work. Her sharp eye and steady voice gave shape to other people's stories long before she became known for telling her own through art.

It was in her creative life that Carol truly came alive. A gifted painter, sculptor, and drawer, she saw the world differently than most, finding beauty in the overlooked and meaning in the ordinary. Her art was never just a hobby; it was a way of paying attention, of honoring the people, places, and creatures she loved. That same tenderness extended to animals, where her work as a devoted pet nanny reflected a heart that had room for every living thing that crossed her path. She poured her many adventures in that world into her book, "Sit, Stay," a project she was immensely proud of and one that captured her humor, patience, and love for the animals in her care.

Carol was first married to William DeLorenzo, with whom she welcomed her sons, Christopher and Robert (Todd). She later married her husband, Eric Chandler, welcoming his children, Margaret (Meg) and Fred, into her life. She delighted in her grandchildren Christopher, Bennett, Sarah, and Aksel, each of whom she loved dearly.

For many years, Carol lived in Maryland along Tar Creek, where the quiet rhythm of the water mirrored her own thoughtful, observant nature. It was a place that fed her art and her spirit alike, a home that felt like an extension of who she was.

Above all, Carol was one of the kindest and most generous people you could ever meet. A deeply religious woman and a devoted Episcopalian, she lived her life to honor her faith, and it showed in the way she gave of herself freely, welcomed others warmly, and met every person with grace.

Carol carried loss with grace as well. She was predeceased by her beloved parents, Wilton and Irene Barney; her cherished brother, Donald Barney and sister-in-law Diane; her stepdaughter, Meg Chandler; and her grandson, Thomas DeLorenzo, who was lost before birth, but never forgotten.

She is survived by her husband, Eric; her sons, Chris, Todd, and stepson Fred (Marissa), her stepson-in-law Dave Stangreciak; her grandchildren, Christopher and Bennett DeLorenzo, Sarah Stangreciak, and Aksel Chandler; as well as nieces, nephews, and dear friends whose lives she touched along the way.

Carol Barney Chandler leaves behind a legacy of creativity, compassion, and an unwavering belief that every life, human or animal, deserved to be seen and cared for.

Funeral arrangements will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Carol's name to the animal charity of your choice or to the scholarship fund at Bergen Community College, where her father, Wilton T. Barney, served as Chairman of the board during the college's founding years.