Joyce P. Krabach Olneyville Library Children’s Literacy Fund

“Exceptional teacher, passionate Rhode Islander, multi-dimensional, dynamic visionary, gourmet cook, decorator, party planner, green thumb gardener, political activist and analyst, voracious reader, outstanding writer, mentor, and public speaker with flair, wit and style, compassionately committed to giving . . . her whole essence was an exclamation point!” replies Scott Wolf when asked to describe his late wife, Joyce Pietras Krabach.

Born in Connecticut, but a Rhode Islander from the age of five, Joyce possessed a love of reading, learning, and teaching, beginning her career at the age of 14 with a part-time job at the Olneyville Branch of the Providence Public Library. A graduate of Hope High School and the University of Bridgeport, she earned her master’s degree in early childhood education at Rhode Island College, in preparation for her nearly 40-year career as an award-winning early childhood educator, principal, professor, and teaching advisor. A strong proponent of experiential learning rather than drill and rote, Joyce believed that children’s fates were often sealed by the quality of their early exposure to reading and writing.

Committed to promoting Joyce’s “righteous values, her priorities and her legacy for her, for me, and for the well-being of our state,” Scott opened the Joyce P. Krabach Olneyville Library Children’s Literacy Fund to support children’s literacy programming at the Olneyville Library. Joyce saw the library as a space to assist children and their parents, promoting education and, with that, opportunity, for all. The fund reflects Joyce’s dedication to her profession and her community. A public policy consultant, pollster, veteran gubernatorial staffer, congressional candidate, and currently, executive director of Grow Smart Rhode Island, Scott has long had an association with the Foundation. A donor-advised fundholder for over 20 years, he shares “the Rhode Island Foundation has become an extended part of the Wolf family.”

When asked about his philanthropy, Scott refers to the tenet of ‘Tikkun Olam’ (‘Repair of the World’) in the Jewish faith, a personal and social responsibility to act to improve the world. This value echoes through Joyce’s life and legacy, and Scott’s continuing service and generosity. Says Scott, “There is no excuse for passivity–even with modest resources. Be a giver of talent, time, and treasure in your community.”