Betty Simon Goldstein

Betty Simon Goldstein, age 88 and a 62-year resident of Annapolis, died June 15, 2024, at her home at Brightview Annapolis. Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1936, she was the daughter of Fred and Juliet Perlstein Simon. She graduated from Shreveport's Byrd High School in 1953 and attended the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, and Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, VA. In 1957, she married her ex-husband, Lawrence B. Goldstein, a naval officer, and they lived in Norfolk, VA; New London, CT; St. Simon's Island, GA; and Honolulu, HI; before settling permanently in Annapolis in 1962. A homemaker and mother of four children, Betty was active in community service work in Annapolis, volunteering for the National Council of Jewish Women, Hadassah, and Congregation Kneseth Israel, which named her its Outstanding Member in 1980. A resident of Admiral Heights for fifty-seven years, she served during the 1980s on the board of the neighborhood's improvement association. She enjoyed planning events and celebrations for her family and community, and took courses in the culinary arts and flower arranging at the Anne Arundel Community College. A talented baker, she won several blue ribbons and a Best-in-Show award for her entries at the Anne Arundel County Fair. She was an avid mah-jongg player and treasured the company of a close group of female friends from the Annapolis Jewish community who were both her fellow players and long-time social and support network. After her children were grown, Betty worked as a sales associate at Hecht's in the Annapolis Mall, a real estate agent for Giddings and Associates, and a sales assistant for Winchester Homes. In her retirement, and after losing her oldest daughter, Helen Ruth Goldstein, to cancer in 2003, she became active in Stepping Out for Breast Cancer and, for several years, devoted her time to soliciting donations for the organization's annual silent auction. She also volunteered as a greeter at the Anne Arundel Medical Center. In addition to her parents and oldest daughter, Betty was predeceased by her beloved partner of two decades, Arnold Pincus. She is survived by her brother John F. Simon Sr. (Louise); her children Jennifer Flanagan (John); Amy Stusek (Sam); and Eric L. Goldstein; her grandchildren Jonathan Depoy (Lauren); John Flanagan IV (Sarah); Allie Piccirilli (George); Sarah Boddie (Eddie); Asher Stusek; Abby Willard; and Max, Ella, and Jacob Goldstein; her great-grandchildren Jack and Reilley Flanagan, Emilie Helen Depoy, and Luca Piccirilli; and her ex-husband Lawrence B. Goldstein and his wife Alice, with whom she remained close. Funeral services were held on Monday, June 17, at Congregation Kneseth Israel in Annapolis and burial was in Kneseth Israel Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Helen Goldstein Lifelong-Learning Fund, American University, University Advancement, P. O. Box 96609, Washington, DC 20077-7992; or to Congregation Kneseth Israel, 1125 Spa Road, Annapolis, MD 21403.