Beverly Goldman died peacefully at the age of 92 on Oct. 4, 2015, surrounded by her loving family. Bev was predeceased by her husband, Don, who was a Captain with the FDNY and a gifted woodworker. She is survived by two brothers, Martin and Elliot Fleischer, and sisters-in-law, Marge and Renee; two daughters, Anne Suzuki and Helen Freifeld, and sons-in-law, Stafford Ritchie and Stan Freifeld; 5 grandchildren, Jessica, Evan, Andy, David and Sabrina; and niece Amy Goldstein and her husband George. Many other special nieces/nephews, grandnieces/grandnephews, cousins and friends were members of the Bev Goldman Fan Club, spanning multiple generations across the country. She will be greatly missed by all.
A true New Yorker, Bev was born in Brooklyn and grew up in Queens. She attended Hunter High School and Hunter College, later completing her degree after a career as a school secretary in the Bronx. Her love of learning was a lifelong passion. She audited courses, read The New York Times cover to cover and was a crossword aficionado, dedicated Jeopardy fan, avid reader and book club member. Bev also studied bridge, playing twice a week with friends without fail. She embraced the digital age and loved to communicate with her family and friends via email and Skype, creating homemade birthday cards for her children and grandchildren.
Bev and Don, along with his brother Jack and wife, Trudie, built a two-family house in Whitestone, Queens, in the late 1940s; the two couples enjoyed raising their families together. Bev moved to Great Neck after Don’s death in 1998, taking full advantage of the Senior Center, pools and library. She made many new friends, adding to her Fan Club, even in the last years of her life.
Bev left a deep and lasting impact on all who came in contact with her. Her wisdom, sense of humor, openness and natural ability to connect with others were just a few of the many gifts she lovingly shared throughout her fulfilled 92 years.
A graveside service was held at Beth David Cemetery in Elmont, NY, on Oct. 7, attended by close family and friends. Donations in her memory can be made to the Scleroderma Foundation (www.scleroderma.org or 300 Rosewood Dr., Suite 105, Danvers, MA, 01923).
