Cora Diane Schlanger

Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY on March 23,1945 to Reuben and Lillian Hartman, an only child, in her youth, she spent her Summers at The Lilac House, a resort in Catskills that was owned and run by her parents. A graduate of Fallsburgh Central High School, throughout her schooling she held several notable positions such as: Class literary staff of yearbook; reporter for the school paper; NY State Treasurer of the Homemakers of America; President of her district's Future Makers of America; contestant in the Ms. Sullivan’s County Beauty contest; Public Relations Officer of the Alpha Iota Society; PR officer of the Hillel Society; Student Government Representative; and she was active in athletics. She later went on to graduate with a degree in Secretarial Business Science from Albany Business College in upstate New York. In 1966, she relocated to Phoenix, Arizona.

Cora was a beloved daughter, mother, grandmother and great grandma whose true passion was caring for others. She played the role of mother and father in a time when it wasn’t common. She was very active in her children's lives as President of the PTA and Girl Scout Troop Leader. Her hobbies included modeling, being a champion billiards player, dancing, horseback riding, cooking, lots of shopping and an abundance of gift giving.

After driving by the future site of the Bell Road Toyota nearly every day as it was being built in 1985, Cora’s career started in a challenge to prove her colleagues and friends' wrong about being a car salesperson. After selling one of the first cars off the lot, she quickly rose in ranks and sales for the next 36 years. From starting off as salesperson of the month for (almost) every month before being promoted to team manager, a position she consecutively held the #1 spot before ultimately becoming the sole fleet manager.

Over the years she garnered numerous accolades including Star Awards, which are awarded to the top 50 Toyota salesperson in the United States and multiple Sales Society Gold Awards. Through her successful career, she was able to travel all across the country to locations such as Hawaii, the Bahamas, Alaska, Las Vegas, Seattle, Portland, Chicago, Miami and many more. With a true understanding of service delivery, she thrived at Toyota with loyal customers whom she made buying a car feel like a dream, she welcomed customers with love and made them feel like family.

Cora is predeceased by her 3 daughters (Amy, Lisa and Lori), 9 grandchildren (Holden, Jacob, Peyton, Elizabeth, Hannah, Austin, Jagger, Brecken and Greyson), and 2 great-grandchildren (Daxton and Raevyn).

All of whom loved her dearly and will never forget her tenacity, wit and enduring love and caring for them.

The family will remember Cora in a way that honors her spirit at Shadow Mountain Mortuary (2350 E Greenway Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85022) on Wednesday, January 19 at 10 a.m. Immediately following the service there will be a reception. The community is welcome to then be included in the procession to escort Cora on her last drive by Bell Road Toyota onto her final resting place at Paradise Memorial Gardens (9300 E Shea Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85260).