Carol Joan Tomason died from injuries sustained during a tragic accident in Washington, D.C. on the morning of Oct. 12. She was 70.

Carol and her husband Bruce, residents of Chapel Hill, N.C., were visiting their children and grandchildren, who live in Washington, D.C. Carol and Bruce also owned a home in Edgartown and had been enjoying summers on the Island for many years.

An avid baker, Carol always entered the baking competition at the Agricultural Society Fair. She loved golfing and enjoyed playing rounds at the Vineyard Golf Club. She enjoyed traveling with her family and was passionate about gardening and picking wild blueberries with her husband on their Edgartown property.

Carol was born in Neptune, N.J. to Ruth and Otto Schneider on August 22, 1948. She shared 46 loving years with her husband Bruce Tomason. The couple started a family in Summit, N.J., and also spent time living in London.

She received her bachelor’s degree from Montclair State University, and both her master’s degree and educational specialist in learning disabilities degree from Rutgers University Graduate School of Education. She began her teaching career as an English and ELL teacher at Park Junior High School in Scotch Plains, N.J.

Carol was an advocate with many educational nonprofits and schools over her career in New Jersey,London and, most recently, in North Carolina, as the president of The Learning Trail, a nonprofit supporting children from low-income families in the Chapel Hill area.

The proud and loving mother to Audrey Tomason Ward and Meredith Tomason, Carol was thrilled to become a mother in law to Audrey’s husband Sean Ward. She also leaves behind two granddaughters and enjoyed all the fun that came with being their Grammy.

Carol’s effervescence, warmth and genuine joy for giving to others were irreplaceable. In lieu of flowers contributions can be sent to The Learning Trail, P.O. Box 3061 Chapel Hill, N.C. 27515 (thelearningtrail.org). Services will be held in North Carolina.