Carol M. Landes

Carol Marie (Dee) Landes, 92, passed away at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, PA on December 13, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was the daughter of the late George Bryant Dee and Charlotte Elizabeth (Duncan) Dee. Carol was born on October 4, 1933, in Kansas City, MO but grew up in Kansas City, KS. She attended Park College in Missouri but also studied at Cornell University’s School of Labor Relations in New York City. In 1953 Carol married the Reverend George M. Landes and they fi rst relocated to Baltimore, MD while he received his PhD at Johns Hopkins University. In 1956 they moved to New York City where George began his teaching career at Union Theological Seminary. While in New York City, Carol began her career in administration, fi rst at Union Theological Seminary as both Director of Housing and Director of Publicity and Public Relations. She later moved to Columbia University where she worked for 20 years, most of which was as Assistant Dean at the Graduate Business School. She then spent the last fi ve years of her career at Columbia in Administration at the Law School. She was a member of the Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City for 37 years. She served as an Elder and as a member of various Church committees, including serving on their Board of Trustees. Carol traveled extensively throughout the Middle East and Europe with her husband and family. They lived in Jerusalem for a year during her husband’s sabbatical. While there, Carol participated in the archaeological excavation of ancient Shechem and volunteered at a children’s hospital in Old City Jerusalem as well as a pre-school for Arab children on the Mount of Olives. In 1995 Carol and George retired and moved to the Lehigh Valley. She lived in Schnecksville, PA for 17 years before moving to the Luther Crest Retirement Community in Allentown. While in retirement, Carol was active at the First Presbyterian Church in Allentown as a member of Session and as a Chair of various Church committees. At Luther Crest she continued to volunteer, serving as President of the Residents Association. Carol was a member of P.E.O. Chapter V, Emmaus as well as a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Carol lived an amazing life fi lled with love for her family and service to others. She was known for her generosity, kindness, deep faith and being a mentor to many. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends. Carol is survived by her three children George M. Landes, Jr. (Liz) of Crystal Lake, IL, Peggy Centanni (Joe) of Moorestown, NJ and Beach Haven West, NJ, and Chris Landes (Joan) of Newtown, PA; six grandchildren, George Landes III, Tanner Landes (Carly), Amy Masci (Jeff ) and Brian Centanni (Jade), Cassandra Shevlin (Chad) and Alexander Anderson and 13 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Georganne Skillman of Overland Park, KS, and nieces and nephews. A memorial service to celebrate Carol’s life will be held at Luther Crest Retirement Community in Crest Hall 800 Hausman Road Allentown, on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Luther Crest Benevolent Care Fund, 800 Hausman Rd, Allentown, PA 18104, or First Presbyterian Church, 3231 Tilghman St., Allentown, PA 18104.