CAROL JEAN LEACH

Carol J. Leach was born in Beth Israel Hospital in Newark, NJ to Sally E. and Wesley A. Collins. They later welcomed a younger brother, Stephen W. The addition completed the family of four. Carol was raised in Montclair, NJ and matriculated through the Montclair public school system - beginning at Nishuane Elementary, Hillside Middle School and Montclair High School. She graduated from Montclair High in 1959. Carol attended Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina. She majored in History, earning her bachelor's degree in 1963. She returned to Montclair, NJ and went to work for the City of New York. She began her career with the NYC Welfare Administration. She would move on to the Bureau of Child Welfare (which would become the Child Welfare Administration) and worked in the area of Special Services for Children for the balance of her 30+ year career with the City. While working at the Welfare Administration, she met Clarence C. Leach. They married in 1965. The couple resided in Montclair and they had two daughters: Kimberly M. and Jennifer S. Carol earned a Masters Degree in Science from Columbia University School of Social Work in 1990. Following her retirement from CWA, she consulted with several agencies affiliated with the City of New York, including the Arab-American Family Support Center in Brooklyn. Post retirement, Carol was an active volunteer for many community groups including, Aging in Montclair, Montclair Community Red Cross (for 15+ years) and as an instructor for adult literacy. It was her role as mentor and ultimately Board Member of Sister to Sister Montclair that was nearest and dearest to her heart. The organization offers guidance and support to high school girls in Montclair as they prepared for college and post-high school life. Carol was a proud grandmother to Bryce A. Rivers and enjoyed visiting her grandson in Atlanta and hosting him for summers in Montclair. Carol loved New Jersey but moved to the Atlanta, GA area in 2023 hoping to leave shoveling snow behind her. She was happy to find a home less than 10 minutes away from her daughters and grandson. She was a lover and patron of the Arts. Carol was a long time member of the Theater Development Fund, an avid Broadway (and regional theater) patron. She was an admirer and collector of fine art, a museum goer, a lover of music of all kinds - popular, gospel, opera, classical, symphony and jazz. Her love of arts and culture also included crafts, dance and literature. She is survived by her brother, Stephen Collins (Fernandina Beach, FL) daughters Kimberly and Jennifer; her grandson Bryce A. Rivers, her nephews, Stephen Henderson, Michael Collins and her niece and Goddaughter, Christine Collins. She is also survived by a host of beloved cousins, family and friends. All expressions of sympathy, including flowers and memorial contributions to her alma mater - Bennett College, Greensboro, NC or Sister to Sister of Montclair Mentoring Group are welcome.