It takes just one teacher to change the course of one’s educational career and create a lasting impact on their life, and RV has no shortage of wonderful, life changing educators and staff. Full of people who bring light, love, and learning into its community every day, RV holds a plethora of stories of amazing people who have impacted the lives of students, colleagues, parents, and friends. 

A prime example of these treasured educators, Mrs. Carol Lynn Graf, touched the RV community immensely during her lifetime, leaving behind a legacy that has reached far beyond her teaching career, and whose recent passing in late December was felt deeply by all.

Graf was a proud RV alumni, class of 1962, who returned after receiving her degree in English in 1966 to give back to her alma mater in the way of teaching English.

“Mrs. Graf was a dedicated and well-respected member of the English department,” said Student Activities Coordinator Mrs. Jennifer Rosenthal, who met Graf during her first days working at RV. “She taught across the hall from me and quickly became someone I could turn to for advice or information during my first few years. She was honest, kind, and encouraging, serving as a mentor and role-model to myself and the younger members of our department.”

Graf taught English at RV for 35 years until her retirement, touching the lives of her students both inside and outside of the classroom. Living up to her high school reputation, she was incredibly involved with the RV community, serving as Class Advisor of numerous graduating classes, Senior Trip Coordinator for many Disney trips, and the Red Oak Yearbook Advisor for her entire 35 year career. Graf was also a former Co-Chair of the RVRHS Athletic Hall of Fame and even an inductee for her athletic accomplishments she achieved during her time as an RV student.

“Mrs. Graf graduated from RV with my parents in 1962,” said Media Center Coordinator and Librarian Mrs. Dee Venuto, “and they both spoke highly of her.  She was voted ‘most vital to the class’ which was fitting given the time and effort she dedicated to our school throughout her life.”

“Mrs. Graf was a veteran English teacher and I was a brand new Spanish teacher,” said Principal Martin, who began working with Graf in the 90’s. “We shared the same Humanities supervisor and got to know each other. We clicked right away and she became my unofficial mentor.”

“I met Mrs. Carol Graf when I started working here 20 years ago,” said Principal Secretary Mrs. Irene Toomey. “At that time she had retired from teaching in 2001 and came back to work at RV as a substitute secretary. I consider her a colleague and a friend. She was truly an RV legend.”

“Mrs. Graf was my class adviser when I was a student here and she ran my senior trip,” said English teacher and Yearbook Advisor Mrs. Cindy Pugliese. “She retired in 2001 and I began teaching [and] became the yearbook adviser in the fall of 2002. Even though she was retired by the time I started teaching, she would sub in the offices and always provide support and encouragement, proving to be an excellent mentor.”

“Since her retirement,” said Toomey, “she has volunteered on numerous committees including the Hall of Fame Committee, RV’s VIP committee, the Senior Scholarships committee, the Retirement and Recognition Committee. Mrs. Graf is so important to RV because of her involvement and kindness.”

“Carol remained active in RV’s community even after she retired,” said Venuto, “helping with the annual Retirement and Recognition dinner and co-chairing the Athletic Hall of Fame committee, plus substituting in various offices when needed. She was quite capable of handling tons of work all with grace. She was a person who paid attention to little details and kindness, sending a thoughtful email or card, or remembering students’ names and graduation years from decades ago.”

“​​In my eyes, she leaves two great influences,” said Pugliese, “the people she shaped by her compassion, intellect, and dedication, and her work with the yearbook. Her Red Oak publications have a legacy of excellence and each year my staff and I work to maintain the quality for which she made routine. She put in long hours and gave selflessly so that the school would have an award-winning, meaningful historical record of the school year.”

“As an alumni and teacher at Rancocas Valley for over 35 years, Mrs. Graf ‘s dedication to the school was profound,” said Rosenthal. “She was an avid supporter of all things RV including homecoming and athletic events. During her extra-curricular roles as the yearbook advisor, class advisor, and senior trip coordinator, she was able to touch the lives of many students. Additionally, Mrs. Graf spent much of her free time during retirement as a substitute secretary in the building and as a valued member of the Hall of Fame Committee. Her devotion and commitment to RV will not soon be forgotten.”

Graf’s unfailing commitment to RV and its students and staff is just one part of the amazing legacy she earned herself while teaching. As well as a dedicated community member and teacher, she was a friend; a positive light that shined bright for all to see that left behind beautiful memories that have lasted far past their time.

“One of my greatest memories is co-chaperoning a trip in the early 2000s,” said Martin. “Mrs. Graf was a seasoned veteran at these trips and she helped me learn all the nuances. She was so much fun. I specifically remember eating dinner at The Prime Time Cafe in Disney Studios. We made each other laugh so hard we were crying.” 

“When I was a student here, I was blessed enough to watch Mrs. Graf, Mrs. Gifford, Mrs. Madison, Mrs. Chait, Mrs. Gaughn and others work together not just as colleagues but as dear friends,” said Pugliese. “They taught us not only the importance of grammar and vocabulary and the love of reading and writing, which I obviously carry with me, but more importantly the importance and beauty of friendship and growth, togetherness and fortitude. They were all role models for how to approach life and continued after retirement to remain the closest of friends sharing in the laughter and sadness that comes with the passing of time. They are all model women, teachers, and friends.”

“Some of my fondest memories with Mrs. Graf include the senior trips we chaperoned together,” said Rosenthal, the current coordinator of RV’s yearly trip to Orlando. “Her love of all things Disney was contagious. It’s one of the reasons I still help coordinate the trip today.”

“I will always remember Carol for her kindness and willingness to help with any project and trying to find the answers for any information we needed,” said Toomey. “Mrs. Graf will be so missed at RV, it’s hard to put into words everything she meant to so many people.”

While Graf’s passing is a tough loss for RV to take, she is survived and remembered by the people whose lives she touched so deeply through her kindness, dedication, and willingness to give back to her community. A mentor, a colleague, a teacher, a friend; Carol Graf was the definition of an RV legend.

“When I think [of] our great traditions, people, and our culture, I think of her,” said Martin. “Her legacy is like no other. I think of her almost as a matriarch of Rancocas Valley.”

“Mrs. Graf is so important to the RV community for so many reasons,” said Pugliese, “this was her home and she treated it as such. She was always involved in a variety of school programs and contributed greatly to each one, but more importantly she made a personal impact on so many individuals.”

“She believed in RV, dedicated much of her life’s work to our school, and supported many of our traditions,” said Venuto. “The world needs more people like her.”

Graf will be sorely missed by all, but especially the RV community. However, the life she lived and the legacy she left behind will live on forever in the memories of those who knew her and the halls of the school she loved most.

To many, she wasn’t just a legend at RV; she was RV.