Few people make a genuine difference in the world, adding redeeming light to others' dark circumstances. One such person was Carol Marks Berman. Her untiring volunteerism and public service made a positive difference to the many lives she touched.
Carol was born in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1932 and graduated from William H. Hall High School in 1950. She received her bachelor of arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1954 with a major in English and a minor in education. She lived in Springfield and Longmeadow, Massachusetts, for many years before settling in Enfield, Connecticut.
Carol was dedicated to the welfare of children. In 1970 she associated with the venerable Springfield Day Nursery, served as its President, was a life board member, and was actively involved with its operation until her untimely death on January 7, 1999. In 1997 Carol was honored with the Harriett Merriam Hoseley award for dedicated contribution to the work of the Nursery and on behalf of children.
Her civic leadership and public service were not confined to children. Carol was active also in the Community Council of Greater Springfield, the United Way of Pioneer Valley, Alcoholism Services of Greater Springfield, the Western Massachusetts Health Planning Council, a community outreach program for pregnant addicted women called Insight 70's, the Pioneer Valley Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Springfield Area Council for Children, and the Child Welfare Committee of Springfield.
Despite her wide interaction with the community and people in need, few realized that Carol considered herself a "Trekkie" -- one who followed the popular Star Trek series of television shows and movies. Carol shared in its vision of a better, more hopeful future for all. Indeed, the participation of Gene Roddenberry, the show's creator, in the Celestis program piqued her own interest in having her cremains rocketed into space.
She leaves behind her loving husband Eugene B. Berman, her son E. Bruce Berman Jr., daughter Caren B. Nemtzow, brother Albert J. Marks, two grandsons, the twins Zachery and Alexander, and a vast number of friends and extended family whose lives were brightened by hers.
Carol's final written instructions to her husband were: "Pipe me out with bagpipes, please; Cremate me and then blast me out into space."
Now Carol's undimming light will brighten the sky for all.
