LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Tireless Moraga Volunteer Gone Too Soon


Carol Sweeny Greco Photo provided

Longtime Moraga resident and devoted volunteer Carol Sweeny Greco recently passed away at the age of 53 from brain cancer. Her dedication to serving the school community knew no bounds.

She made a huge impact on Moraga schools as a tireless booster, competently taking on a vast array of tasks - from field trip chaperone to establishing the Los Perales Parent Club in the 1996-1997 school year. "There is no doubt her skills and wonderful personality significantly contributed to the successful re-opening of Los Perales," said Bruce Burns, then Principal of Los Perales, now Principal of Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School.

At times she could do two things at once. While serving as the Camino Pablo Parent Club President, she was also the unofficial Parent Club President of Los Perales (LP) the year before it opened. The following school year, 1997 - 1998, she was LP's first official Parent Club President, and continued to be actively involved in subsequent years. In 2000 she provided the leadership for all three elementary schools to transition from Parent Clubs to PTA's. Her energetic volunteerism continued at Joaquin Moraga Intermediate and Campolindo, and finally the Moraga Educational Foundation and several parcel tax campaigns.

"How she related to people continues to serve as a model for me," said Burns. "She carried herself with a smile and positive demeanor, and communicated with the interest of students always being the focus. She managed conflict resulting in win-win outcomes, and brought people together to form a community. She managed to do so much and also give so much to her family, friends and the community. She demonstrated sincere interest in everyone - even if meeting them for the first time."

Kathy Ranstrom met Carol many years ago, "Carol was not only my very dear friend, she was my mentor. She was a dedicated volunteer whose goal was always to make a better experience for all of the kids, and not just her own two boys. Because she taught us all by example what it means to be a good volunteer, she left us an invaluable lasting legacy."

She is survived by her husband Larry, two sons, Jeffrey and Michael, mother Janie Sweeny, her sister Susan Hilk and numerous loving brother and sister in laws, nieces and nephews.