Obituary of Carolyn G. Margolis

A Teacher’s Teacher and Life Long Activist

Carolyn “Lyn” Margolis, 78, of The Villages, Florida passed away November 22, 2019 at Cornerstone Hospice, The Villages, Florida.  She was the wife of Edward “Ed” Morris Margolis.

Lyn was born in The Bronx, New York and was the daughter of the late John W. and Dorothy Gregor.  She grew up in Nyack, New York and attended Carnegie Tech in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania where she met and later married Ed.

Lyn was a teacher for 28 years in the Pittsburgh Public School system where she taught middle and high school history, civics and social studies.  She developed the first Advanced Placement history class and was awarded a Hayes Fullbright scholarship to visit Africa and co-created an African Studies curriculum.  She was a mentor to student teachers and created a Teachers Resource Center to help active teachers gain further skill in education.  Lyn also volunteered to teach classes to adults seeking US citizenship. 

As an activist for social change Lyn served as union representative and delegate to 6 American Federation of Teachers Conventions.  As a community organizer she was Secretary of the Squirrel Hill Community Association in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.  She was also an active participant in her husband’s businesses. 

Ed and Lyn moved to The Villages in 2005 where they were among the founding members of Temple Shalom of Central Florida.  Lyn remained active in the Temple community and organization until her death.

Lyn was extremely politically active and a past President of the Villages Democratic Club.

Lyn’s spirit lives on in the thousands of students that who’s lives she enriched and the countless lives that she touched. 

Lyn is survived by her husband, Edward, two children, Gregg (Mary Kay) Margolis of Chevy Chase, MD and Beth (David) Martin of Arlington, MA and three grandchildren, Eli Martin (21), Riley Martin (17) and Will Margolis (14). 

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, December 8, 2019 at 3:00 PM at Temple Shalom, 13563 Co Rd 101, Oxford, FL 34484. Memorials in her memory may be made to Temple Shalom of Central Florida, or a charity of your choice.  Condolences may be left at www.hiers-baxley.com