Carole Wilder Carole Wilder grew up in a religious home where faith played a major role in her life. Thatfocus followed her into adulthood, and she lived a life guided by the Jewish phrase, Tikkun Olam—to heal the world.

"Theconcept is that the world is broken and hurting and we each have the responsibility to work to help one another and make the world a better place," said Wilder's son, Ian of North Babylon. "My mother lived that and religion, family and community were always important to her."

Carole Joyce Wilder, a resident of Copiague, died Sunday, May 31. Graveside services were held at Breslau Cemetery in Lindenhurst, June 3.

Mrs. Wilder graduated from Hunter College of the City of New York in 1953 and later studied and worked as a social worker. She founded CJ Enterprises; sold advertising for the Babylon Beacon Newspaper, and from 1988-1992 was Executive Assistant to the Commissioner of Environmental Control in the Town of Babylon. Throughout the years, she also worked closely with S.C. Leg. Maxine Postal and maintained a strong and warm friendship with the lawmaker who died in January 2004.

A founder of the Babylon Youth Board, she also served as President of the Copiague Youth Council. Over the course of her lifetime, she was a community leader with the Lindenhurst Hebrew Congregation and its Sisterhood and the Congregation Beth-El in Massapequa. She was also a member of the Tri-State League of Women Voters, serving as President in the 1970s and was active in the Copiague PTA and on the Deauville Garden Elementary School PTA board.

"Carol was very knowledgeable (about the environment), said Betty Connolly of Babylon who served on the Environmental Commission in the Town for approximately 10 years. "She was a very caring person who rarely talked about herself but was instead always interested in others."

"She was a strong advocate for the youth," said

Kathleen Whittier, director of the Youth Council and a friend of Mrs. Wilder. "But she was also an advocate for women's causes and definitely a personal mentor to me." In a statement she wrote for a family member's project, Carole reflected: "I have come to believe that the true treasures of life are the gift of life, the love of family, my Jewish heritage, listening to music, the joy of the written word and the beauty of nature." "Her faith and heritage were undoubtedly a big part of her life," said Carolyn James, who worked with Wilder when she was an advertising representative for the newspaper in the 1980s. "I am a Christian who

grew up in a Jewish community in Brooklyn and we often spoke about the Judeo-Christian culture and its value in our society today. She was proud of her faith and committed to it."

In addition to her son Ian and his wife Kimberly, Mrs. Wilder is also survived by her son Jonathan and his wife Rina, and her grandchildren, Joshua, Ethan and Jeremy. Her parents Jennie and Joseph Berlin, and her husband Julian, a professor at Adelphi University, predeceased her.

Donations in Mrs. Wilder's name may be sent to the Carole Wilder Scholarship, Copiague Youth Council or the Julian Wilder Scholarship at Adelphi University.