Honeoye Lake: At age 85, Carol passed away on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. She was born Carol Jean Lodder on January 22, 1939, in Rochester, NY to the late Marcus and Edna (Lewis) Lodder. Survived by her beloved husband, Alan H. Schoonmaker; her children, Eric R. Lang (Valerie M. Guarino), Brian L. Lang, and Valerie J. Lang (Alexander Solky); her sister, Virginia (Russell) Gardner; and her grandchildren, Forest L. Kiger, Charles L. Solky, Richard R. Lang, and many step-children and step-grandchildren. She is predeceased by Doris Lodder.
A graduate of Spencerport High School and S.U. Brockport, Carol later earned her Masters of Education from Nazareth College and taught special education for 17 years at Lyons Central School and Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES. Carol loved nature, learning, traveling, and her family. In her “retirement,” she served as president of the Honeoye Garden Club, Town Historian for Richmond/Honeoye, authored a pictorial history of Honeoye Lake, guided tours at the Granger Homestead, and participated in the Red Hat Society. Her love of nature included gardening, enjoying the beautiful Finger Lakes, climbing Mount Marcy and other Adirondack high peaks, and numerous adventures with the Wayfarers, including proudly celebrating their 100th anniversary. Her travel bug took her to California, Hawaii, Alaska, and other states, and to Europe, Cuba, Canada, and Mexico. Carol respected all faiths, and the Unitarian church was an important part of her life personally. She was a loving mother, grandmother, cousin, aunt, step-relative, and friend to many, gathering them together on her beloved Honeoye Lake.
Friends and family are invited to call from 4-6 PM on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at the Kevin W. Dougherty Funeral Home, 8624 Main Street in Honeoye, where Carol’s memorial service will immediately follow at 6 PM. Interment will take place privately at Mt. Hope Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to: Lollypop Farm (https://www.lollypop.org/ways-to-give/make-a-donation/) or Richmond Fire Department (8741 Main St., Honeoye, NY 14471). To share a memory or a condolence, please visit: www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com.
It was wonderful knowing you and how you cared for my father. Thinking of you and your family.
Dear Val,Eric & Brian ~
Our deepest sympathy to all of you and your extended family as you walk through this time of grief. Your moma Carol knew how to ‘engage’ in LIFE! She truly LIVED! May her Love and shared wisdom be what you pass along to others …..as your own days go forward. You certainly all know how…” to take it from here”…for she showed ‘you how’ by living well into her 80’s!! God Bless her soul and all of you (her dear children) as you honor her long and vibrant life.
In sincere sympathy and so much Love~
Annie (Lambo) Pellman & The Lambo Family
I could write a book on how great Carol was to me and my children, but there’s really no words either. She was an amazing woman, and we were so blessed to have her as a MIL, friend, and grandma. She truly showed how great unconditional love is, and she showed that by living by example. She leaves a huge hole in the hearts of people who knew and loved her. I will miss the family picnics and hikes, but especially miss our conversations over the phone and over coffee. I love you, and I will sorely miss you until we meet again.
Eric, Leigh and I send our condolences to you and your family. Mom was a special gal. I first met
her somewhere along our teaching careers. Your endless expressions of love and respect for her would make any mom very proud. You were lucky to have each other.. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Our thoughts are with Carol’s family and friends at this sad time.
Eric, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family over this great loss.
Carol, you were one of the kindest persons I have ever known. We rode to work together for a short time. I loved to see your students respond when you used a very calm tone and redirected them. At times when we dropped you off at home after a long day your dog went crazy welcoming you home. Honeoye will be lost without your dedication and community participation.
You and I had so much fun and so many laughs walking through cemeteries to find a request of relatives out of state. Listening for a growling dog that we knew we would have to run from. Finding a paper that we could place with the ancestor. The times I would come to your house and chat about our sons that were in the same class. You were such a good friend and you never judged people. Rest in peace my friend.
I learned so much from you. You raised us with so much love, I learned from you that love is the answer to everything. We kids often went to many extremes. You never stopped showing all three of us love. I think many mothers would have turned to hard drugs and/ or alcohol with all the stress we created! But your continuous love and support eventually led to our becoming dedicated parents. You were always there for us. It is hard to imagine life without you. But we know what we have to do, thanks to you. When you passed away, I said to you, “we’ll take it from here.” We had the best mother to raise us. I’ll never forget your love.