Schuck was disability services director

Judy Carpenter Schuck drew on her experiences with disabilities to help others in her professional life. The former dean of students and director of disability services at what is now Minneapolis Community and Technical College, Schuck died of cancer in November. She was 79 and lived in Wayzata.

She was born in Duluth. Her family lived in the Chicago area before they returned to Minnesota. A graduate of Robbinsdale High School, she earned bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Minnesota. Her lifelong career in special education included work as director of services for students with disabilities at Santa Barbara City College and as a national trainer for the Association on Higher Education and Disability.

She met her husband, Edward Schuck, when they were both counselors at a summer camp. He became an engineer for Medtronic and ran a small medical device company when their family lived in California.

Schuck was known for her lifelong commitment to special education and to people with disabilities. She used a cane most of her adult life. Despite mobility issues, she recently refused to use a wheelchair in order to participate in a march against President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.

She was involved at St. Luke Presbyterian Church in Minnetonka, chaired the Eden Prairie Human Rights and Diversity Commission and co-founded the Higher Education Consortium on Learning Disabilities.

Schuck was preceded in death by her husband in 2016. She is survived by her two daughters and four grandchildren. Funeral services have been held.

Ramnaraine founded disability network

Barbara Koucky Ramnaraine is remembered for her work to found a faith-based network for people with disabilities. Ramnaraine died in October. She was 85 and lived in St. Paul.

Born to parents who were doctors, Ramnaraine was legally blind since birth. She worked as a teacher and then as an Episcopal deacon until retirement. She founded the Episcopal Network Serving People with Disabilities. She spent her entire life devoting herself to the poor, the homeless and especially to the inclusion of those with disabilities into the full life of society and the church.

She was also an author. Ramnaraine traveled extensively, on her own and with friends and family. She co-authored the book Wheeling and Dealing in 2008. The book provides tips for traveling by train, plane, bus, and automobile, and helps travelers of all ages with disabilities ranging from hearing loss and vision loss, to mobility limitations and diabetes, feel safer and more comfortable as they travel. No matter whether one travels for business or leisure, this book offers sound and practical advice.

Another book she authored addressed accessibility issues for places of worship.

Ramnaraine is survived by her two children and their partners, as sister-in-law and other family and friends. Services have been held. Memorials are preferred to the American Alzheimer’s Association in her name.