Carole Joyce Brand

CAMDEN..Carole Joyce Brand left this earth far better than she found it
78 years ago! Carole died on January 11, 2025, after a period of declining health in
Rockland, Maine.
She was born on October 6, 1946, and adopted by Jesse and Josephine (Buddy
Markus) Brand. Carole attended public schools in Brooklyn, NY. She earned a B.A. in
English and Psychology from Brooklyn College. After completing graduate work at
Harvard Business School and New York University, Carole taught management and
organization studies at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Carole retired in 2005 from Hoffmann La Roche, where she served in various
capacities, lastly as Vice President of Human Resources for the U.S. pharmaceuticals
business. During her 35-year career, she focused on international management
development, organizational restructuring, and change management to help the
organization function more effectively and allow people to contribute their best. Carole
was recognized for her contributions to the NJ company as a Tribute to Women in
Industry recipient of the Commissioner's Special Citation from the Food and Drug
Administration.
With retirement came the joy of living full-time in Midcoast Maine, where she found
numerous passions and opportunities to pursue. As she had done throughout her life in
New Jersey, Carole supported many organizations with her time and talents, especially
those focused on helping women and children, animals, healthcare, education, and
music. She served in several positions with Bay Chamber Concerts, the Board of
Literacy Volunteers of Midcoast Maine, Home Counselors, Inc., Midcoast Community
Chorus, and the Coastal Health Alliance (MaineHealth) in Maine.
All her life, Carole found spiritual homes. She was raised Jewish, and this laid a
foundation of love of God and love of learning. She found this same love and
community at the Central Presbyterian Church (Montclair, NJ) and was baptized in
1978. Carole served as an alto soloist, Clerk of Session, and the chair of both long-
range planning and the Personnel Committee. Upon moving to Maine, she became a
member of First Congregational Church, Camden, where she was a member of the
choir and served on the Pastoral Care and Personnel Committees.
When she wasn't working or in meetings, Carole loved to sing and studied voice for
many years. In her spare time, she practiced piano, competed in crossword puzzle
tournaments, enjoyed opera, read voraciously, and played word games. Truthfully, one
of the few things Carole didn't excel at was arithmetic, which likely influenced, in her
words, her being "barely proficient at Bridge."
Carole was bright and accomplished, but she never made anyone feel less so. We will
remember her most for the kindness and curiosity she showed towards others. Carole
made the best of her changing health situations, and her positive acceptance of the
move to assisted living and quick sense of humor helped her make the best of her last
years. Never one to lament what was no longer possible, Carole continued to touch and
be touched by many lives. She will be greatly missed, but we know her song will
continue in those she left behind.
A celebration of Carole's life is planned for April 25, 2025, at 3 p.m. at First
Congregational Church, Camden, Maine. A reception will follow immediately afterward.
Instead of flowers, Carole asked that we spend time with a loved one or send a
donation to a favorite organization.
Arrangements are with the Long Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 9 Mountain
Street, Camden. Condolences and memories may be shared at
www.longfuneralhomecamden.com