Obituary: Joan S. Schapiro

Joan S. Schapiro, long-time resident of Rockville Centre and early childhood educator at the Recreation Center, died on Nov. 7 after a two-year battle with cancer.

Schapiro began her 44-year career at the Recreation Center’s Nursery School program in 1968. She proved to be an incredible asset and was a dynamic innovator in early childhood programming. In addition, she was the driving force behind the many creative activities that enable each child to express themselves through cooking, dance, athletics and art.

The Joan S. Schapiro Early Childhood Education Center in the Nursery School wing at the John A. Anderson Recreation Center was dedicated in 2014 to commemorate her many contributions.

In lieu of flowers, the Schapiro family is asking donations be made in Joan’s name to the Mayor’s Community Fund (“RVC Community Fund, Inc.” P.O. Box 614, Rockville Centre 11571) or Cattlemen For Cancer Research in Bastrop, Texas (www.cattlemenforcancerresearch.org).