Joan Goldman

Joan Norma (Nielsen) Goldman passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her family.
Joan was born Oct 3, 1932 in Detroit, Michigan. She was the proud daughter of Danish immigrants, who landed on Ellis Island in the early 1920's. Joan encouraged many of their cultural traditions in the lives of her children and grandchildren. She attended Michigan State University, graduating with a degree in Education and taught first grade in Long Beach CA, Bloomfield Hills, MI and Skokie, IL. Prior to moving to CA she was introduced to Jack Goldman through her brother. They remained in touch over the years and in 1957 Jack proposed by asking her to travel throughout Europe with him. He had been awarded the prestigious University of Illinois Plym Traveling Fellowship in Architecture, which provided for six months of international study of design. From that moment forward they were a couple devoted to both education and the arts. After living in Chicago for two years, they moved to Mt. Vernon, IL to temporarily join a budding architecture firm (later became FGM) and never left.
Joan was an active leader within the Mt Vernon community. She was a Cedarhurst Center for the Arts Docent, the founding Chair of the Cedarhurst Music Committee, the President of Friends of the Library and the President of the Mt Vernon World Affairs Forum. She was employed as a substitute teacher, a GED instructor for Rend Lake College, and a Parish Visitor at the United Methodist Church. Joan was also honored as a Senior Saint in 2004, in recognition of her dedication to her family, community and country.
Joan loved to entertain friends and visiting artists. She was a talented chef, an avid reader, and a daily New York Times Crossword puzzler, on top of being an accomplished seamstress. She and Jack were sailors, enjoying many years doing so with family and close friends in local and off shore waters.
Jack and Joan were avid supporters of Cedarhurst as volunteers, leaders and benefactors. Several works of art at the museum are a result of their passion, vision and mission to support the growth of the permanent collection. Their contributions included traveling the country to secure art for the nationally recognized Goldman-Kuenz Sculpture Park.
Joan's legacy goes beyond her devotion to the community to include her lasting and loving friendships over her nearly 70 years in Mt. Vernon. She was especially known and loved among friends for her gentle and practical guidance, her unwavering love and support and her endearing giggle.
Joan is survived by her three children, their spouses and her eight grandchildren.
Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.