Senate Resolution No. 4274

BY: Senator SEWARD

HONORING the late Carol Coltrain upon the occasion
of her designation as recipient of the 2017 Lifetime
Achievement Award by the Schoharie County Chamber of
Commerce on March 23, 2018

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality and character of life in the communities across New York
State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those
individuals that are devoted to the welfare of the community and its
citizenry; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
the late Carol Coltrain upon the occasion of her designation as
recipient of the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Schoharie County
Chamber of Commerce, to be celebrated at its Annual Meeting and Awards
Ceremony on Friday, March 23, 2018, in Bouck Hall, at SUNY Cobleskill
College, Cobleskill, New York; and

WHEREAS, Schoharie County Chamber of Commerce's annual business
awards recognize individuals who have been successful in providing
quality products and services to clients and customers, and who have
consistently treated their business associates in a fair and respectable
manner; and

WHEREAS, Carol Coltrain was born in Margaretville, New York, where
she was great friends with Mate, a senior citizen who lived down the
road; through this special bond, Carol experienced the value of true
friendship and how to love all people, especially those who have sincere
love for others and through the quiescent charm and wisdom which comes
only from a fullness of years; and

WHEREAS, After she and her family moved to Middleburgh, New York,
Carol Coltrain attended Middleburgh Central School; upon graduating in
1961, she eventually enrolled in the Gorham School of Beauty in
Schenectady; three years later, she opened Carol's Trim N' Tress on Main
Street; and

WHEREAS, For almost three decades, Carol Coltrain mastered her
skills, and truly enjoyed making her customers look beautiful; she
greeted each and every one of them with a warm smile and always made
sure they left her shop feeling good about themselves; and

WHEREAS, Remembering her friend Mate, Carol Coltrain formed the
Middleburgh Golden Age Club in 1969; through her efforts, many local
seniors attended monthly club meetings, dinners, volunteer activities,
yearly Vintage Vaudeville shows, and various bus tours; and

WHEREAS, Carol Coltrain married the love of her life, the late
Joseph Coltrain, on March 10, 1979; the couple spent 36 wonderful years
together building a life in Schoharie County; and

WHEREAS, In that same year, Carol Coltrain became a lay-preacher at
the Huntersland United Methodist Church; through her kindness and
compassion, it became known as "The Little Church of Love"; and

WHEREAS, In this capacity, Carol Coltrain brought to her ministry an
overwhelming spirit of charity and compassion, acting from vision and
enlightenment in conducting her administrative and spiritual duties,
while always displaying the highest standards of personal and
professional integrity and dedication; and

WHEREAS, Carol Coltrain married, baptized, shared joy, and grieved
with her neighbors; during the aftermath of Hurricane Irene in 2011, she
organized UMCOR volunteer teams which helped residents rebuild their
lives; and

WHEREAS, After she closed her shop in 1991, Carol Coltrain went to
work for the Schoharie County Office for the Aging; she quickly rose
through the ranks, and, at the time of her retirement, held the title of
director; and

WHEREAS, A valuable asset to her community, Carol Coltrain was an
active member of the Middleburgh Rotary Club, and served on numerous
boards through the years; for her steadfast and unremitting commitment
to Schoharie County, she was named a Times Journal Star; and

WHEREAS, In her much deserved retirement, Carol Coltrain loved to
paint, draw, and write poetry and song lyrics, as well as play piano,
organ, and accordion; above all, she enjoyed spending time with her
congregation and her family; she passed from this life on January 2,
2018, leaving a rich heritage of philanthropy by example and concern for
others; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhanced the well-being and vitality of their profession and community,
and had shown a long and sustained commitment to excellence, certainly
have earned the recognition and applause of all citizens of this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the late Carol Coltrain upon the occasion of her designation as
recipient of the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Schoharie County
Chamber of Commerce; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Carol Coltrain.