Carol Rubin, a Glen Cove resident renowned for her wisdom, boundless curiosity and remarkable vitality, died on Jan. 2, at age 103. Rubin was a teacher, a community leader and an advocate of lifelong learning, and her life was a testament to resilience, intellect and the joy of connecting with others.
Born in the Bronx to Rose and Solomon Begun, Rubin grew up in a home brimming with books and a love of the arts. Her mother was a talented writer, and her father encouraged intellectual pursuits.
“She inherited a love of learning and curiosity from her parents,” her daughter, Emily, said. “It shaped her entire life.”
As a child during the Great Depression, Rubin witnessed breadlines and government assistance programs, though her family avoided economic hardship. Those experiences left a lasting impression on her. Despite the challenges of the era, she enjoyed a happy childhood — especially swimming with her father at New Jersey beaches.
Rubin trained for six months for the 1936 Olympics, but chose to focus on her education. She graduated from New York University with a degree in social work, a choice that reflected her commitment to helping others.
She married Morton Rubin, and together they built a life filled with family, travel and service. After living on a naval base in Quonset, Rhode Island, during World War II, the Rubins moved to Glen Cove in 1957. When they found a home with a fireplace and dishwasher, they knew it was the right one. The couple were charter members of the Glen Cove YMCA, and Rubin swam there regularly for over 65 years. Even in her 103rd year, she still enjoyed the pool.
Rubin became a teacher after Emily started sixth grade. She earned a master’s degree in education from Adelphi University and spent 23 years teaching, primarily third grade, in the North Shore School District.
“Teaching was her calling,” Richard Rubin, her son, said. “She had a way of connecting with children, understanding how to guide them without stifling their individuality.”
Richard recalled how his mother drew inspiration from the poet Kenneth Koch’s techniques for teaching poetry, encouraging her students to write and illustrate their own works.
Rubin’s son Musa reflected on her extraordinary parenting skills. “She knew how to set boundaries while letting us explore who we were,” he recounted. “When I was in kindergarten, I wanted to ride my bike to school even though it wasn’t allowed. She went to bat for me because she trusted I was responsible enough.”
Rubin’s impact extended beyond the classroom. As president of the Friends of the Glen Cove Public Library, she championed education and community engagement. Two years ago, the organization established the Carol Rubin Award, a $500 scholarship for a graduating Glen Cove High School senior, in her honor.
Carol Waldman, former executive director of the Glen Cove Senior Center and a friend of Rubin’s for over 30 years, described her as “one of the wisest women” she had ever met.
“Carol always said that wisdom comes from common sense and meaningful experiences,” Waldman said. “She embodied that wisdom in everything she did.”
Rubin took part in lectures, cultural programs and discussion groups at the Senior Center. At 103, she was the oldest participant in the Walk with a Doc program, and suggested topics for health discussions.
“She brought fresh ideas and energy to every session,” Waldman said. “She was unstoppable.”
Rubin’s resilience was evident throughout her life, especially after the sudden death of her husband, Morton, on a cruise in South America in 2005. Despite her heartbreak, she continued to explore the world and immerse herself in arts and culture. Weeks before her death, she visited the Nassau County Museum of Art, and explored every exhibit.
“She wanted to see everything, and stayed until the museum closed,” Richard Rubin said.
“In fact, during her difficult last few months, I asked her, ‘What will you miss after you’ve died — will you miss the world?’” her son added. “She said, ‘I’ve seen the world.’”
Even in her later years, Rubin remained fiercely independent. She moved to the Regency Assisted Living facility, in Glen Cove, last September to simplify her life, and continued to stay socially active.
Her milestone birthdays were occasions of joy and reflection. She celebrated her 90th, 95th, 98th and 100th birthdays at restaurants run by her close friend Jeannine DiMenna. Rubin visited Jeanine’s American Bistro when it opened in September.
“She joked that she wanted a 98th birthday party just in case she didn’t make it to 100,” Richard recalled with a smile.
By all accounts, Rubin approached aging with grace and optimism, viewing life as an opportunity for growth and connection. “Even as she faced changes and losses, she never operated from a place of regret,” Waldman said. “She focused on what she could gain from each day and what she could give to it.”
A memorial service celebrating Rubin’s life will be held on April 13. The location is to be determined.
