Carol Buchanan, Teacher, Community Activist, Grandma

Carol Buchanan, age 76 of Maplewood N.J. and Woodstock, NY passed away on Saturday, June 15, 2019 after a brief illness with Pancreatic Cancer. Carol leaves behind her devoted husband of 54 years, Jim Buchanan, their daughter, Rebekah Harris of Bethesda, MD, and grandchildren Benjamin Lev Harris, Maayan Shira Harris, and Shoshana Eve Harris. 

Ms. Buchanan taught Mathematics, Library and Reading for 34 years in the public schools of Rutherford, East Orange and Bedminster, NJ.  In retirement, Carol worked as Children’s Librarian at the Westfield Library and was President of the Hilton Neighborhood Association while being active with the Maplewood Library Board of Trustees and the Community Coalition on Race. 

Carol’s leadership was recognized by Teacher of the Year Award in Bedminster, the 2005 Rotary Club of Maplewood’s Affair of the Heart Citizenship Award, the 2011 Maple Leaf Civic Award, and by the Community Coalition on Race in 2017.

Carol was the daughter of Louis and Mildred Stool of Bayonne, NJ.  She leaves her dear siblings Brenda Valentino, Debra Vogel (Elfin), and Matt Stool (Erica) and many nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.

Carol touched and inspired everyone she met, leaving a legacy of love, compassion and kindness.

A celebration of her life will be lead by Rabbi Greg Harris on Tuesday, June 18 at 11:30am, at Menorah Chapels, 2950 Vauxhall Road in Vauxhall, NJ followed by burial at the Rosedale Cemetery, 408 Orange Road, Montclair. Shiva will be announced at the services.

Donations may be made to two organizations close to Carol's heart:

Maplewood Memorial Library Foundation

South Orange Maplewood Community Coalition on Race