Carmen Walter

Carmen Walter, September 12, 1931 of North Andover, MA, formerly of Locust Valley, NY transitioned peacefully on August 25th, 2014. She lived with passion and commitment. Her personal beliefs, attitude and philosophy of living was positively charged and inspiring. The part of her that was a teacher defined the essence of her soul. Her lust for learning, work ethic and commitment to education was insatiable. As a wife, mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, sister, aunt, friend and teacher she found time for everyone and deeply cared about each relationship. She was inherently programmed to give of herself and found such joy in seeing others succeed. She was a teacher at Locust Valley Elementary School for thirty-two years. She taught at the fourth and sixth grade levels until a moment in time when inspiration aligned with opportunity and she created an innovative and award-winning curriculum for the "Gifted" called the "Omega Program." The learning center was based on non-traditional methods of problem solving. It used creativity and imagination to connect the threads of innovation hidden within positive knowledge. On top of that, she created a complimentary program named the "Revolving Door" especially for children that had a focused passion in a particular area. This construct was based in her belief that "all children were gifted in one way or another." She personally created hundreds of individual curriculums in order to address the most inquisitive parts of each child's mind delivered in mediums that addressed a multitude of learning styles. When she retired in 1996, she became a docent at The Nassau County Art Museum in Roslyn Harbor, NY. She specialized in introducing blind children to the museum, creating mental images and context for them. She also lectured at adult education events giving deeper meaning and understanding to influential historical artists. Her personal life was immersed in the same depth of caring, companionship, guidance and giving. She was deeply in love with her artist husband Vail Walter whom she supported and encouraged to experiment and create. They truly enjoyed each other's company and were a lasting example of love and commitment. As an only child I was the beneficiary of two exceptionally creative people. I was emerged in a "vision", which allowed me to participate and believe in love and humanity through the appreciation of man's creativity. Music, art, literature, cooking, comedy, architecture, nature, building, different cultures, you name it, we were always learning. They were "makers". She embraced my family by loving my wife Betsy and feeling so impressed with and loving so deeply her grandson Cameron. As some of you may know we lost our first son Little Vail to a genetic disorder at the age of two. My Mom dove in whole heartedly with her usual warmth and passion claiming that "Little Vail's life must not be a tragedy, but one that shown bright however short." She loved and cared for her own parents and had a wonderful lasting relationship with her younger sisters Mercedes Latham and Elvira Robinson. All three attended Oswego College as teachers. She loved her nieces and nephews taking great joy in their accomplishments. After moving to Massachusetts to be close to family, Carmen lived at Great Hill in Topsfield, MA where she enjoyed many new and lasting friendships. I know that my Mom cared about each and every young person she had the pleasure to meet. She loved to play her ukulele, sing, dance, learn and pay it forward. Through the introduction of social media, so many of you have asked about her over the years, sharing such nice sentiments and moments in time. I am humbled. I also know that my Mom loved my Dad and me very, very much, I am so proud of her and the way she lived. My Mom suffered from Dementia. She wouldn't give up, right until the end, insisting in her own way that she leave the physical world with some element of dignity. Ultimately, she controlled her own destiny and transitioned on her own terms. Assisting the family with the arrangements is the Peterson-O'Donnell Funeral Home 167 Maple St., (rte 62) Danvers. In lieu of flowers, if you would like to make a donation in memory of Carmen Walter, to the "Carmen Walter Scholarship Fund," the donations will be offered to help children and teachers in the community were she taught for over thirty years. Donations can be mailed C/O Glen Walter, 48 High Ridge Road, Boxford, MA 01921. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www. odonnelfuneralservice.com Thank you all for making her life so rich and in turn mine. Glen Walter