Obituary: Carol Sue (Cohen) Deutsch

On Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022, Carol Sue (Cohen) Deutsch unexpectedly passed away from a sudden illness. She was born on Oct. 14, 1947, in Atlanta, Ga., the daughter of Helen and Gerald Cohen. Carol and her husband, Bob Deutsch, were married for 53 years. They got married on June 1, 1969, and lived their entire adult lives together.

With Bob by her side, Carol built a family, a career and legacy of community involvement. Their path led them from Ann Arbor, to Boston, to western North Carolina and finally to Asheville, which became their home for 40 years. Carol spent her childhood in Atlanta, active in school and Jewish youth groups. After graduating as valedictorian from Northside High School, Carol attended the University of Michigan where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1970, she was awarded her Master of Education from Boston University, after which she taught eighth-grade English and built a distinguished career as an educator at Blue Ridge Technical Institute, and after moving to Asheville in 1985, Asheville Buncombe Technical Institute. At both community colleges, Carol was known for her innovative courses, creating the first course in Women’s Studies. Carol’s career as an educator culminated in her trademarked professional identity as “The Customer Service Detective.”

Carol loved being a part of the Asheville community. She became a respected leader in business and nonprofit organizations, including the Asheville Chamber of Commerce and the Community Foundation of WNC. For over 40 years, Carol was a beloved leader in the Asheville Jewish community, as Sunday School principal, synagogue and JCC board member, and philanthropist. She was proud of creating the local youth group to replicate her high school regional leadership in BBYO for Asheville teenagers.

Of all her accomplishments, Carol was most proud of her family. Watching her daughter, Robin, and son, Andy, grow into accomplished adults with strong families of their own gave her the most pleasure. She loved being mother-in-law to Robin’s husband, Dave Edwards, and Andy’s wife, Lauren Estrin. Her enjoyment rose to a new level as her five grandchildren, Natalie, Molly, Benjamin, Reid, and Jacob joined the family. “Grandma Carol” is and will be a fixture in their lives.

Carol came from a large, tight-knit extended family. She was very close with her family: sister, Judy, and brother, Mark, and their spouses, Marty and Tova, as well as brothers-in-law, Dennis and Morris, and their spouses, Linda and Nancy. Carol also loved her nieces and nephews, Michael, Laurie, Ross, Sara, Barak, Niffy, Neal, Yael, Emily, Adam and Samantha, and her great nieces and nephews Eve, Leah May, Marion, Gerald, Morris, Freida, Maayan, Yahav, Emmanuelle, Asher and Gali. She had many aunts and uncles, and a plethora of cousins whom she loved dearly. Carol will be sorely missed by her family, and by her many friends and colleagues. May her memory be for a blessing.

In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a donation to: Asheville JCC – Hilde’s House Fund Community Foundation of WNC Women for Women Initiative.

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