Laurel Woolf

Laurel Benay Woolf passed away peacefully at home in Tarrytown on July 29, 2024. She was born in the Bronx, NY on July 29, 1935. She married in 1955 and started her teaching career with NYC public schools in 1956 as a fourth-grade teacher in East Harlem, moving to the 1st grade in the South Bronx in 1968. In 1970, just before moving to Scarsdale, NY, she started teaching at the Concord Road Elementary School in Ardsley where she taught 3rd grade, ran the gifted and talented program, and ended her career there as the computer teacher. Laurel also taught students with disabilities at Columbia University, Adelphi University, Fairfield University, and Fordham University, among others. Laurel was passionate about education and always spoke fondly about her students. In her retirement, Laurel tutored students unable to attend class and touched the lives of many with her intelligence and joy for teaching. Laurel was accepted to Barnard College but attended Hunter College where she graduated with a double-major in English Literature and Elementary Education. She went on to attend Lehman College where she received a master’s degree in Elementary Education and Reading. Laurel was a proud member of Mensa as well as the Phi Beta Kappa Honors society. She was a competitive grant writer and skilled author, helping to establish The Ardsley, Greenburgh, and Elmsford Teacher’s Center in 1988. Laurel loved classical music, Broadway, ballet, and opera. She was an avid reader, and active tennis player before injuring her back. She was a lover of crunchy peanut butter and was known to never resist a slice of chocolate cake. Laurel was an involved and passionate volunteer with several organizations, including The Prompters of Purchase College and the Brandeis Women’s Network. Laurel is survived by her son Bruce Woolf and daughter-in-law Dale Scharlat, their children and her greatest loves, Lily Woolf and Julia Woolf, her daughter Ellen Woolf Rubrich and son-in-law, John Rubrich. She was adored by many loving friends and neighbors. There is a graveside service at Sharon Gardens, Valhalla on July 31st at 11am and a shiva to be hosted at 70 Taconic Rd., Millwood, NY 10546 from 1pm – 5pm.

Laurel Woolf

July 29, 1935 - July 29, 2024