Carol E. Weichert

Carol E. Weichert, our beloved mother, friend, doctor and mentor in living a joyful life, passed away October 4, 2018.

Carol was born on August 17, 1936, alongside her identical twin sister Susan, to Isadore Edelstein and Jean Eisner Edelstein, in Brooklyn, NY.

Raised in a closely-knit Jewish family, Carol's young life, and ties to family and culture were indelibly impacted by her father's heroic tour of duty in World War II, as well as by anti-Semitism which she experienced growing up, giving her a keen sense of social justice.

Carol attended Erasmus Hall High, where she and her sister became highly competitive amateur swimmers. She completed her B.A. with honors at Swarthmore College.

After college, Carol attended medical school at New York University, completing her internship at Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY, where she met her lifelong love and husband, Harold Weichert.

Moving to Syracuse to raise her family in the early 1960s, Carol had a successful medical career as a pediatrician at the Well Baby Clinic in Syracuse. Her work in counseling mothers there led her to develop an interest in breast feeding. She conducted research and published numerous articles on the topic through the 1970's.

Her research into the psychological aspects of breastfeeding led to her decision to complete a residency in Psychiatry at Tufts University in the late 1980's. She served as a psychiatrist at the Boston Veteran's Administration hospital, and later had a private practice.

Carol was a devoted wife, and a loving and encouraging mother of four children, deeply loyal and committed to her family.

Amidst her professional achievements, she followed her love of beauty, enjoying life to the fullest, especially sunsets from her deck on Martha's Vineyard, family and friends, opera and classical music, the arts and fashion.

Carol is survived by her sister Susan Kluver of Martha's Vineyard, her brother Joseph Elston of Los Angeles, daughter Regina Weichert, sons Robert and Cyrus Weichert, and her 10 wonderful grandchildren whom she adored. Sadly, she lost her son William Weichert to an illness in 1996. Her battle with brain cancer was brief, courageous, and punctuated by her amazing sense of humor.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, October 11, 2018 at the Burns Garfield Funeral home at 3175 East Genesee Street, Syracuse, NY from 4 to 7 pm.

A brief Memorial Service will be held at 9:30am Friday, October 12, 2018 at the Burns Garfield Funeral Home with burial in Oakwood Morningside Cemetery alongside her husband Harold.

In addition, there will be a Memorial Service held on Martha's Vineyard during summer of 2019. For future information on the Martha's Vineyard Memorial, please contact susankluver@gmail.com.