Elaine Joel Schuman died July 12, 2016 at the Stonebridge Montgomery skilled nursing facility in Skillman, New Jersey after a long illness. A few days earlier she had celebrated her 90th birthday with close friends.
Mrs. Schuman was born on July 9, 1926 to Adeline and Ralph Joel in Rutherford, New Jersey. She received a bachelors degree in Sociology from Rutgers Union College and attended the New School for Social Research and Spencer Business College. She served as Director of Consumer Affairs for Mercer County (1974-1980) and later as Executive Legislative Assistant to the Secretary of Transportation State of New Jersey. She married Dr. Seymour “Cy” Schuman in 1950 and the couple settled in Princeton where they raised an adopted daughter. Mrs. Schuman remained in Princeton after her husband’s death in 1971.
Mrs. Schuman was heavily involved in community affairs and in local and national politics. She served as Chair of the Princeton Township Democratic Party and was New Jersey State Co-ordinator for Edmund Muskie’s Presidential Campaign in 1972. She was also a founding member of the Princeton based Community Without Walls. Elaine will be remembered for her ardent social conscience, warm outgoing manner and zest for art, literature, writing and cuisine. In later years she was a devoted grandmother to Cy’s two granddaughters, Lauren and Alison.
Mrs. Schuman is survived by her daughter Elizabeth of Stockton, California and by many good friends at Stonebridge and in Princeton. A memorial service will be held at a later time. Donations in her memory should be directed to the Democratic National Committee or the Alzheimers Foundation of America
