Carol Shelkofsky Brockhaus

Carol Shelkofsky Brockhaus, 84, of Ft Pierce, FL a loving mother, grandmother, friend, and teacher died peacefully at her residence on March 16th, 2026.

Carol was born and raised in the Washington, D.C. area. She attended St. Stephen and Blessed Sacrament grade schools and was a graduate of Immaculata Preparatory, 1959. Following graduation, she studied at St. Mary of the Woods College in Indiana, earning a degree in English with a minor in biology in 1963. Carol participated in Chorale club as well as basketball – an interest that would endure, as she was an avid follower of NCAA/“March Madness” basketball.

Carol was passionate about the things that she loved. She lived in several places with her family, including Texas and Puerto Rico, however she always considered the Treasure Coast of Florida her true home and had been a resident there since 1968. The Florida landscape captivated Carol and for many years she enjoyed her weekends scuba diving and boating with her husband Ralph. She spent hours in her yard which had become a haven for native plants and animals, especially orchids and Monarch butterflies. From a young age she immersed herself in nature. She genuinely loved animals, protecting and nurturing all creatures, a passion that she shared with her children, grandchildren, and students.

Having interests in many areas, Carol always marveled at human achievement. She loved sports and the spirit of competition; she was well-versed in running and swimming as a member of the Sun Runners/Runner’s Club in Vero Beach and as a long-time supporter of AAU/ High School swimming. Carol was a true art enthusiast and appreciated the arts in all forms, regularly attending concerts, community theatre, and art shows. In addition, she was a voracious reader, carrying a book of some kind with her wherever she went. She expressed her own creativity, especially in her youth, by drafting short stories and poems, and sketching horses at every opportunity. She especially loved and was dedicated to the A.E. Backus Museum and Gallery where she’d worked since 2008 and made a significant impact through her support and her interactions with thousands of visitors over the years.

Hired as a kindergarten teacher in Texas, Carol initiated a rewarding career that would encompass multiple grades and span decades. In Florida, she was a highly sought after substitute teacher and consistently taught in Indian River County schools. She began her full-time teaching career at St. Anastasia in Ft. Pierce and worked for St. Lucie County Schools as a teacher at Garden City, Dan McCarty, and Northport Middle; she finished her career at Ft. Pierce Central High School teaching her favorite subject, English Literature. Carol was known for being a challenging and effective teacher and was respected by her students and coworkers alike. She frequently supported her students at different activities and sporting events and truly enjoyed running into them through the years.

Carol is survived by her daughters, Aileen M. Callan-Brumfield (John) and Patricia Callan Burke (Robert) as well as her grandchildren, Anneka Early (Michael Jones), Katrina Early, Abigail Burke, Brendan Burke, and Caroline Burke, and her sister Ann Bateman (Winston), as well as her nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Ralph G. Brockhaus, her parents Agnes and Raymond Shelkofsky, and her sister Joan S. Kean.

A 10:00 a.m. service will be held at St. Anastasia Church, Fort Pierce, FL on April 20th, followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Carol’s memory to Dogs and Cats Forever Inc. Fort Pierce, FL or The A.E. Backus Museum and Gallery.