Dr. Carolyn A. Markuson of Sudbury, MA, beloved wife of the late M. John Markuson for 54 years, proud and devoted mother of Donald and his wife Kathleen McCarthy of Framingham MA, David and wife Nancy Markuson of Burlington MA and loving grandmother of Rebecca, Trevor, Kristin, Justin, and Erick, passed away on January 17th, 2020 at the age of 86.
Carolyn was born in Evanston IL, daughter of Ruth and Arthur Bussian and sister to Richard (Dick) Bussian, and grew up in Park Ridge IL, New Orleans and Roselle/Westfield NJ. After graduating Westfield High School, Carolyn earned a BS in Chemistry at Ohio University. During her first career as a Research Chemist and Chemical Librarian at Allied Chemical she met John. They settled in Chatham NJ where she began her second career raising her two boys. Once in school she then embarked on her third and most notable career with school libraries, earning her MLS and a CAGS in Public Administration at Rutgers University while coordinating libraries for several school districts in NJ.
In 1980 she relocated to the Boston area as Supervisor of Libraries and Instructional Materials for the Brookline Public schools. Here she continued her educational pursuits with an EdD in Curriculum and Instruction at Boston University. This led to a State Department assignment to evaluate library programs in the European Council of International Schools, which resulted in a book providing guidance and vision for the future development of libraries in an international venue. Carolyn embarked on a Library Directorships exchange with the Frankfurt (Germany) International School where she and John especially enjoyed weekend and school vacation trips touring Europe and gained many lifelong friends. Upon returning to Boston she founded biblioTECH Corporation, consulting around the world with a focus on designing school libraries. Her influence can be seen locally (Lincoln-Sudbury HS, Curtis and Loring schools), regionally (Boston, Lowell, Springfield, from New Hampshire to Washington, D.C.), and internationally with projects in Singapore, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Columbia and various countries in western Europe.
Carolyn’s fourth career was to inspire the next generation as adjunct faculty at Rutgers, Simmons, Boston University, University of Hawaii, and Bridgewater State University. After numerous retirements, she returned to work as Interim Director of Libraries for 5 years at Wellesley Public Schools. She was a frequent keynoter at national and international library and information conferences, held leadership roles in ALA, AASL, and served as President for numerous organizations including EMAnj (Education Media Association of NJ), MSLMA (Massachusetts School Library Media Association), NEEMA (New England Educational Media Association), NESLA (New England School Library Association) and Beta Phi Mu (Library honorary fraternity). She has written and co-authored numerous publications, notably Designing a School Library Media Center for the Future, which is an ALA best-seller. In 2019 Carolyn was greatly honored to receive a MSLA Lifetime Achievement award.
A memorial mass, followed by a celebration of Carolyn's wonderful life, will be held Saturday, February 1'st at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Fatima Parish, 160 Concord Rd, Sudbury.
Donations in her memory may be made to the Friends of the Goodnow Library. In lieu of flowers, please support your local library by donating or volunteering your time in her memory.
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