08/18/2026
Remembering Carolyn Cukierman
NVRC would like to remember Carolyn Cukierman, a longtime advocate for older adults and people with disabilities in Northern Virginia, who passed away on June 28, 2026, at the age of 75.
I had the privilege of working with Carolyn through Fairfax County’s Commission on Aging and Adults with Disabilities (CCAAD), where we advocated together on issues affecting older adults and people with disabilities. Over that time, I came to consider Carolyn not only a colleague, but a friend and a true ally of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.
What I will remember most about Carolyn was her kindness and positivity. She was always genuinely excited about the work we were doing at NVRC and about finding ways for us to work together. Whenever we talked about an idea or an opportunity to collaborate, Carolyn was encouraging, interested, and ready to help make something happen.
That collaboration was very real. NVRC was an active participant in the pilot program Carolyn headed addressing social isolation among older adults. Carolyn understood how important communication, accessibility, and meaningful social connection are to our health and well-being, and she made sure Deaf and Hard of Hearing seniors were part of that conversation.
When Fairfax County dissolved CCAAD, Carolyn was one of the people encouraging those of us who had served together not to allow the work and relationships we had built to disappear with the County commission. She believed we should continue working together and advocating independently.
That effort eventually helped lead former CCAAD members and other community partners to form the new Disability and Aging Coalition (DAC), an independent regional coalition bringing together advocates, organizations, professionals, and community members concerned about older adults and adults with disabilities throughout Northern Virginia. I now have the privilege of serving as co-chair of DAC with Naina Narayana Chernoff.
Sadly, Carolyn did not live long enough to see DAC fully take shape. But she is absolutely part of why it exists.
In fact, at a DAC meeting recently, Carolyn’s name and influence came up again. We talked about bringing back something Carolyn practiced: “Connect Before Content.” Before getting down to business, take a few minutes to connect with one another as people. Carolyn understood that relationships matter and that they make our work together stronger.
On a personal level, I’m grateful I had the opportunity to visit Carolyn in the hospital before she passed. I also attended her funeral and memorial, where I learned even more about this remarkable woman and just how many people and communities she touched during her 75 years.
Washington Jewish Week has published a wonderful tribute to Carolyn and the extraordinary amount she accomplished during her life. I encourage our NVRC community to take a few minutes to read it and learn more about someone who was a genuine friend and ally to our community.
Read “Carolyn Cukierman, Advocate for Older Adults and Jewish Life, Dies at 75” https://www.washingtonjewishweek.com/carolyn-cukierman-advocate-for-older-adults-and-jewish-life-dies-at-75/
Carolyn, thank you for your kindness, your encouragement, your friendship, and your belief in the power of connection and collaboration. NVRC was fortunate to have you as an ally, and I was fortunate to know you as a friend. We are still carrying the work forward. You are deeply missed.
