logo
Google Play App Store
Log In subscribe and/or renew Eeditions
  • Home
  • E-Edition
    • This Week Newspaper
    • Archives
    • Local Shops
    • This is Westfield
    • Search the Archives
  • News
  • Opinions
  • Sports
  • Community
    • Life Events
    • Community Calendar
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Obituaries
    • Submit an Obituary
  • Classified
  • Legals
  • Advertise
    • Advertorial
    • Paid Political
    • Sponsored Content
  • subscribe and/or renew
  • Contact
    • Home
    • E-Edition
      • This Week Newspaper
      • Archives
      • Local Shops
      • This is Westfield
      • Search the Archives
    • News
    • Opinions
    • Sports
    • Community
      • Life Events
      • Community Calendar
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Obituaries
      • Submit an Obituary
    • Classified
    • Legals
    • Advertise
      • Advertorial
      • Paid Political
      • Sponsored Content
    • subscribe and/or renew
    • Contact
  • Home
  • E-Edition
    • This Week Newspaper
    • Archives
    • Local Shops
    • This is Westfield
    • Search the Archives
  • News
  • Opinions
  • Sports
  • Community
    • Life Events
    • Community Calendar
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Obituaries
    • Submit an Obituary
  • Classified
  • Legals
  • Advertise
    • Advertorial
    • Paid Political
    • Sponsored Content
  • subscribe and/or renew
  • Contact
    • Home
    • E-Edition
      • This Week Newspaper
      • Archives
      • Local Shops
      • This is Westfield
      • Search the Archives
    • News
    • Opinions
    • Sports
    • Community
      • Life Events
      • Community Calendar
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Obituaries
      • Submit an Obituary
    • Classified
    • Legals
    • Advertise
      • Advertorial
      • Paid Political
      • Sponsored Content
    • subscribe and/or renew
    • Contact
Carol Petersen Oakes
Obituaries
February 7, 2024
Carol Petersen Oakes

Carol Petersen Oakes, 92, SPFHS English Teacher, Guidance Counselor

Carol Petersen Oakes, 92, died on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at her apartment at The Chelsea at Fanwood. Carol was born in Washington, D.C. to the late Henry and Jean Petersen, grew up in Clark, and lived in Scotch Plains before moving to Fanwood over 60 years ago.

As a child, Carol took an active interest in the performing arts, and commuted from Clark, N.J., to the Professional Children’s School in New York City. She performed on radio and had her own column in a children’s magazine. After graduating from high school, she went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from Douglass College and, later, her Master’s Degree in Education from Rutgers University.

Carol enjoyed a long career as an English teacher and guidance counselor at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School. She was a longtime board member and trustee of the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA and an active member of the local theater company the Fanwood Philathalians. She was also a key member of the Fanwood Historic Preservation Commission.

She will be remembered for her work in supporting young people in a range of contexts, including youngsters in particularly difficult circumstances; for her passionate, humanistic approach to her work as an English teacher and later as a guidance counselor; for the dedication and care she showed as a mother to her five children; and for the loving bond she nurtured with her husband, Beau, over the 60+ years of their marriage. She was a source of inspiration and comfort to everyone who knew her. Surviving are her children, Toni Marchick and her husband, Steve; Jacqui Murray-Smith and her husband, Harvey; Michael Oakes; Steven Oakes and his wife, Ildi; and David Oakes and his wife, Rosa. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Bailey, Seanna, Natasha, Adam, Greg, Christine, Chelsea Rae, Emily, James, Carol Maria, and Benji.

She was predeceased by her loving husband, Kingsland “Beau” Oakes, and her sister, Nancy Godfrey.

There will be a memorial gathering and remembrances at Memorial Funeral Home, 155 South Avenue, Fanwood, on Sunday, February 18, 2024, from 1 to 4 p.m., with remembrances at 4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 123, Fanwood, N.J. 07023.

February 8, 2024

ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Most Read
WHS Grads Return to Renovate Staff Lounge
Main, News
WHS Grads Return to Renovate Staff Lounge
By MADOLYN LAURINE 
Thursday, June 12, 2025
WESTFIELD — Summer is almost here and construction has yet to begin on major projects slated for Westfield schools, but staff at Westfield High School...
this is a test
Westfield Says Pavers Without Permits to Be Removed
Main, News
Westfield Says Pavers Without Permits to Be Removed
By MADOLYN LAURINE 
Thursday, June 12, 2025
WESTFIELD — The Westfield Board of Adjustment denied its first application of the year at its Monday meeting when Teddy Gencarelli, of 14 South Wickom...
this is a test
Sports
Blue Devils Top Woodbridge in Semi; Rock Ridge for Group 4 Section Title
Thursday, June 12, 2025
Prepared by DAVID B. CORBINThe third-seeded Westfield Blue Devils baseball team defeated the second-seeded Woodbridge Barrens, 8-4, in the semifinal r...
this is a test
UCPAC Celebrates Juneteenth With Song, Poetry and Dance
Arts and Entertainment
UCPAC Celebrates Juneteenth With Song, Poetry and Dance
Thursday, June 12, 2025
RAHWAY – In observance of Juneteenth, the federal holiday that commemorates the ending of slavery in the United States, Union County PerformingArts Ce...
this is a test
Community
Milestone Greta’s Run Raises Over $230K For Imagine
Thursday, June 12, 2025
WESTFIELD — More than 1,700 participants turned out May 18 in support of the largest-ever Greta’s Run 5K & Memory Walk, raising over $230,000 to suppo...
this is a test
This site complies with ADA requirements

© Copyright The The Westfield Leader

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy
This site complies with ADA requirements

© Copyright The The Westfield Leader