Maplewood Mourns Teacher, Activist, Librarian, Grandma

MAPLEWOOD, NJ - Carol Buchanan, a staple in the Maplewood Community for more than two decades, passed away June 15 after a brief struggle with pancreatic cancer.

She was 76 years old.

Buchanan was an active member of the Maplewood community and served on the Library Board of Trustees since 1999. According to her colleagues at the Maplewood Memorial Library, Buchanan touched and inspired everyone she met, leaving a legacy of love, compassion and kindness.

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.

Buchanan taught Mathematics, Library and Reading for 34 years in the public schools of Rutherford, East Orange and Bedminster. 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.. She leaves her dear siblings Brenda Valentino, Debra Vogel (Elfin), and Matt Stool (Erica) and many nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.

A celebration of her life was be lead by Rabbi Greg Harris on Tuesday at Menorah Chapels, 2950 Vauxhall Road in Vauxhall.

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

• Maplewood Memorial Library Foundation
• South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race

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