RIP Carol Buchanan

Memorial Service: Tuesday, June 18th, 2019 11:30am

Location: Menorah Chapels at Millburn

Address: 2950 Vauxhall Rd., Vauxhall [Union], NJ 07088

Life Story for Carol Buchanan

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.
She was predeceased by her bother Peter Stool.
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.


I am so sorry to hear this.  May her memory be for a blessing. Sincere condolences to Jim and and entire family. And to Maplewood where she was so loved



" For what is it to die, but to stand naked in the wind and to melt in to the sun? And when the earth shall claim your limbs,  then truly you shall dance."


Kahilil Gibran


Sorry to hear the news - RIP Carol - a big loss for Maplewood and especially the Hilton Neighborhood.


A wonderful, giving, caring, joyful woman, who gave so much to Maplewood.  So sad.  


It broke my heart when I opened Jim's email telling me Carol had passed.  She was an amazing woman as stated in the posts above me,  but most importantly Carol was a great friend.


Maplewood's loss - Heaven's gain


I am so sorry to hear this!  I knew Carol had recently been struggling, healthwise.  What a lovely spirit she possessed!  She will be missed by so many!


In every community are a few people who always show up.  

Who always look for ways to help.

Who always support other people trying to make things better.

Who are encouraging and help you find ways to get over obstacles.

Maplewood lost one of ours with Carol's passing...

RIP, Carol

-Ron Carter


Some people believe you can tell what kind of person someone is by the turn out at a their funeral.  If that is the case.....Carol truly was a special lady.  Their was barely standing room at her memorial this morning.  


I did not know Carol, and yet I feel a profound sadness for her loss. May her family be comforted by the amazing things she accomplished and the people she helped. 


Carol Buchanan was a local treasure!  I will miss her, and my heart is with you, Jim, and your whole family.  She touched so many of our lives, and we were so lucky to have had her.  She will always be in our hearts.



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