Lori Ann Goldberg

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden and unexpected passing of our beloved Lori Ann Goldberg. A devoted sister, cousin and friend, Lori's infectious joy and laughter will be long remembered and missed by those who knew and loved her.

She is survived by her devoted sister, Phyllis DaMota Goldberg; her loving family; and her cat, Charlotte.

Lori was born in Michigan City, Indiana, on Oct. 5, 1957, to her late parents, Julius "Red" and Joyce. She grew up alongside her cousins, Phillip, Alan and Leslie, who were like siblings to her. Their homes were literally right next to each other. Their fathers, Red and Milton, were longtime business partners.

One of the central themes of her life was helping others. It was her calling. After graduating from Rogers High School, she began volunteering for Family Advocates, a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) program to advocate on behalf of abused and neglected children in the court system.

While Michigan City would remain her North Star, Lori spread her wings and moved to California where she worked as a restaurant manager in Eureka, Arcadia and Santa Cruz. For a people pleaser, it was the perfect job to spread her welcoming smile and warmth.

Returning to the Midwest, she settled in Detroit with her cousins Arnie and Elaine Shifman (and their loving clan) where she studied to become a paralegal. When she moved to Chicago, she worked for decades as a trusted and respected paralegal at BP Amoco and then Allstate. With her effervescent personality, she formed lifelong friendships with many of her fellow workers.

Lori loved many things – people, animals, food – but she especially loved rock 'n' roll. She sang, danced and devoured it at concerts and in the car, shower or elevator. A proud groupie, she was a devoted fan of Bon Jovi, Pink Floyd, Tom Petty, and of course, The Beatles. In her youth, she played a mean air guitar (think: tennis racket) in one of the first faux groups known as the "Little Beatles" alongside her sister and cousins. The group disbanded having failed to secure a record contract.

But her greatest joy and gift was helping others. As a longtime hospice volunteer, Lori quietly and humbly gave countless hours of comfort, compassion and laughter to those on their final journey. Her mantra: "What if this was my parent?" She was an angel with magic hands, massaging their heads and shoulders, singing to them, dancing with joy to lift their spirits. She appreciated their wisdom and stood by them until their final days.

Family and friends were everything to Lori. She filled every space with joy and laughter ... it was her oxygen. That's why her cousin Kevin nicknamed her "Pure Joy." She even had T-shirts made with those two words emblazoned on them.

She was one big, sensitive heart, devoted to her family and friends, but no one more than her sister, Phyllis. Their bond was, and will always be, unbreakable. They held each other through good times and bad. Their love was fierce and unshakable.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. at Sinai Temple, 2800 Franklin St., in Michigan City on Sunday, Sept. 7. A reception will be held at the temple following the graveside service at Greenwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in honor of Lori Goldberg to: The Independent Cat Society, a non-profit, no-kill feline shelter serving Northwest Indiana, at www.catsociety.org.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Geisen-Carlisle Funeral Home, 613 Washington St., Michigan City, Indiana, 219-874-4214.