Carol Resser Oppenheimer

Carol Betty (Resser) Oppenheimer, 51, beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend, passed away on July 18, 1996, at home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, after a six-month battle with pancreatic cancer. She was laid to rest at Star of David Memorial Gardens and Cemetery in North Lauderdale, with funeral services led by Rabbi Zalman Bukiet of Chabad of Boca Raton, who met Carol during her illness and was a source of great comfort and peace. This obituary is being published many years later to honor her memory more fully and share her story with those who may not have had the chance to know her.

Born on January 27, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois, to Sarah (Sally) Bernstein and Harry Resser, Carol grew up in the Hyde Park and South Shore neighborhoods alongside her younger sister, Ellyn, and a large extended family on her mother's side. An excellent student, she graduated from Bowen High School in 1962 and went on to attend the University of Illinois, where she studied radio, television, and film, as well as elementary education. She later pursued graduate studies in media at Northwestern University.

Carol began her career in children's television, working as a puppeteer on the program The Magic Door. She then joined WGN-TV as an assistant producer for Garfield Goose and Friends and worked closely with the team behind The Bozo Show. She also contributed to WGN Radio, managing public service announcements.

Carol was a devoted and loving mother of two, and she dedicated herself to her children's education, hobbies and cultural experiences from birth to college. She loved reading books with them, watching educational TV programs like NOVA and Cosmos, going to science and art museums, aquariums, and planetariums, playing tennis, and finding educational summer camps. She planned wonderful birthday parties and vacations to cities around the world, and her personalized gift-giving was legendary.

Carol was passionate about science education, environmental causes, natural foods and vitamins, philanthropy, motivational and inspirational speakers, and entrepreneurship. She loved the palm trees and seashells of South Florida, living with her family in Miami from 1974-77 and in Fort Lauderdale from 1984 until her passing. She was the catalyst for her husband's career move from law to the natural foods industry, introducing him to Julie and Richie Gerber of the Bread of Life in Fort Lauderdale and supporting their long-time business partnership. A loyal and generous friend, Carol always offered help to those around her. She is remembered for her warmth, positivity, and unwavering support of her loved ones.

Carol was survived by her children, Allison Joy (Oppenheimer) Berger and David Oppenheimer; her husband of 28 years, James K. Oppenheimer (1943-2025); her mother, Sally (1911-2003); her sister, Ellyn Tanenberg; and her nieces, Jenny Fogel and Emily Rosenbaum. Though Carol did not live to meet her granddaughter, Clara was named in her loving memory.