Obituary of Carol Schlank

Carol Schlank died peacefully at home on January 18, 2021. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, known for her kindness and love of children, and was an educator, author, and activist, deeply committed to social justice. An avid reader, she belonged to several book clubs. She was adventurous, full of energy and enthusiasm, and loved to try new things and to have new experiences. She traveled widely, even in her later years, and was described recently as an extremely "cool octogenarian." Carol was born in 1933 and grew up in Montpelier, Vermont. She graduated from Vassar College and later earned a Master's degree. She devoted her working life to serving children, especially underprivileged ones. A specialist in early childhood education, she taught for many years in the Rochester City School District, was active in the Rochester Childfirst Network and the New York Association for the Education of Young Children, and contributed to research on the quality of childcare facilities. Carol was a connoisseur of children's literature, and she showered her children and grandchildren with books. With a collaborator, she authored three books for young children about historical figures who worked to build a better world: Martin Luther King, Jr, Rachel Carson, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. She also co-authored a book for educators about fostering gender equity in early childhood programs. For many years she was an active member of the First Unitarian Church of Rochester. She will be sorely missed by her five children, four in-laws, three grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, a great-granddaughter, her sister and brother in-law, three nieces, and a nephew. Her much-loved husband, Melvin B. Schlank, passed away in 2008. Carol had a vast and varied network of dear friends, with some friendships reaching back as far as kindergarten. A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Heifer International or Rochester Childfirst Network.