Carolyn J. (Greydanus) Bennett

Carolyn Jean Greydanus Bennett, 97, passed away on June 10, 2026, at her beloved home on the mountain in Summit, NY, with her daughters by her side.

Carol is survived by her daughters Rebecca Sobin (Rodney) and Diane (Marc Levy). She also leaves behind her grandchildren Ethan (Carter), Amelia (Phillip), Alexander, Samuel, and Basil; great-grandchildren Eleanor, Nova, Logan, and Charlotte; and nephew David Stapert (Vanessa). She was predeceased by her husband James; her parents Samuel and Cora Greydanus; her sister Edith Stapert; and her nieces Jane Munro and Shirley Fraatz.

Born on Dec. 1, 1928, Carol spent her formative years in Fair Lawn, NJ. Her family imparted values and attitudes that stayed with her for life, including a strong sense of civic responsibility and belief in the importance of education. She was the first in her family to have the opportunity to attend college, graduating from Paterson State Teachers College (now William Paterson University) at the age of 20. While teaching full-time, she earned a master’s degree from Montclair State Teachers College (now Montclair University). Years later, she could still recall the trepidation she felt at facing her first classroom of 36 second-graders. But she persevered and built a long career in teaching, mainly at Stanhope Public School (NJ), that she found very rewarding and enjoyable.

When Carol retired she and Jim moved to upstate New York. They both enjoyed the serenity and beauty of their home in the country. After Jim passed away in 2002, Carol continued to live there independently for the rest of her life. She had wide-ranging interests including studying the Bible with fellow church members, reading (nonfiction) books for her book club, cheering the Boston Red Sox and Buffalo Bills, taking long daily walks, tracking the genealogy of her extended Greydanus and Bennett families, and closely following the news to keep up with current events.

Carol had a strong, lifelong religious faith and a commitment to family that she took seriously. Everyone in her extended family knew they could always count on her, and that she’d be praying for them. She possessed a strikingly positive and optimistic outlook on life. She made friends easily, and was a listening ear for many, always offering sound advice when asked.

Carol had a steady belief that when her time here on earth was finished, that wouldn’t be the end – she would go on to her next existence. Burial was at Fair Lawn Memorial Cemetery, and services were private. The world was fortunate to have her here for 97 years, and she will be dearly missed by the many who loved her.

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