Carolyn L Terpening

Carolyn L. Terpening passed away on March 3, 2017 at the Ellis Residential and Rehabilitation Center in Schenectady. Carolyn was born in Schenectady on July 1, 1927 and was the daughter of the late Everett A. and Maude (Izzard) Terpening. Carolyn was a graduate of Russell Sage College with a BA degree in Sociology and a MSS in Psychiatric Social Work from Fordham School of Social Work in New York City. Her first two years of social work training took place in New York City. She then returned to the Schenectady area to practice her dedication to human services and care for her aging family. Carolyn worked as a probation officer for the Schenectady County Department of Probation for eight years. She then continued her career as Assistant Administrator of the City of Schenectady Rehabilitation and Day Hospital. Carolyn became Assistant Director and then acting Director of Schenectady County Community Mental Health Services. She ended her career in social work as the Social Services Discipline Coordinator at the Oswald Heck Development Center. Carolyn devoted her life to learning and serving. She sat on the boards of many Schenectady community organizations; Schenectady Community Action Program, Alcoholism Council of Schenectady, Inc., Visiting Nurse Service Association of Schenectady and Dominion House Inc., and the Schenectady City Chapter of the New York State Association for Retarded Children. She also served as an advisory capacity to Schenectady City Council's Youth Advisory Committee and the Eleanor Roosevelt Developmental Services program for the Consumer Advisory Council. Her learning came through professional memberships and her wonderful ability to observe society. She had sensitivity toward and a strong responsibility to correct injustice and the problems that lie within society For some who knew Carolyn she seemed at times, very opinionated. But for those of us who understood her strong social conscience she epitomized the Stephen Covey quote: "Every human has four endowments-self-awareness, conscience, independent will and creative imagination. These give us the ultimate human freedom.... The power to choose, to respond, to change." Rest in Peace Carolyn. The family would like to thank the staff of the Edison Wing at Ellis Residential and Rehabilitation for their kindness and caring concern. We would particularly like to give special thanks to Chris Friere, Carolyn's social worker. We would also like to acknowledge former Mayor and friend Karen Johnson for her help in Carolyn's care. Carolyn is survived by several cousins in New York and other states. Funeral Services for Carolyn will be Thursday 1PM at St. George's Episcopal Church 30 North Ferry Street Schenectady. There will be no calling hours by request. Spring internment will be in Viewland Cemetery in Rotterdam.