Name: Visitation for Brenda L. Goichberg
Start: 2022-02-17T19:00:00.000Z
End: 2022-02-17T21:00:00.000Z
Location: Flynn Funeral & Cremation Memorial Centers Inc.

Brenda L. (Tersine) Goichberg, 73, passed away Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, in Mount Vernon, New York.
She was born in Punxsutawney on June 2, 1948, the daughter of the late George and Mary (Chambers) Tersine.
She graduated from Punxsutawney Area High School in 1966 and went on to receive a B.A. in education from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a degree in mortuary science at the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science.
Her career as a mortician began at the Pifer Funeral Home in Punxsutawney and continued at The Oliver H. Bair Co. in Philadelphia as the first licensed woman embalmer and funeral director in Philadelphia in 1976.
She was the first woman embalming assistant professor of mortuary science at the Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, New York. During her tenure, she trained numerous funeral directors, many of whom are still practicing in the state of New York. She was the first woman in Pennsylvania to be certified to do eye enucleations for corneal transplants. She contributed to the Embalming textbook written by Robert J, Mayer in 1990.
On Feb. 20, 1993, she married William (Bill) Goichberg, and they would have had 29 years together. Together, they own Continental Chess Association, a business that has organized thousands of chess tournaments around the U.S., including the annual Chess World Open, and promotes chess education for persons of all ages.
Surviving are her bro-ther, Ed (Donna) Tersine of Indiana, Pa.; sister Sharon (Amund) Amundson of Fort Wayne, Indiana; nieces and nephews Edward (Shannon) Tersine, Christopher (Larissa) Tersine, Gregory Tersine, Laura (Matthew) Yeomans, Stacey (Robert) Johnson, Kristyn (John) Frantz, and Stephen (Emily) Amundson; and 15 great-nieces and -nephews.
Brenda was a faithful member of the Roman Catholic Church, actively participating in all aspects of church life. In her free time, she enjoyed reading, traveling around the country, shopping and spoiling her nieces and nephews with gifts and educational materials.
Friends will be received from 2 until 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, followed by a funeral service at Flynn Funeral Home, Monroe, New York.
Interment will follow in Allegheny Cemetery in Pittsburgh.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Punxsutawney Spirit from Feb. 15 to Feb. 16, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Brenda Goichberg

Sponsored by Flynn Funeral & Cremation Memorial Centers Inc..

7 Entries

Judy Heitzenrater

February 9, 2023

I remember Brendan from High school, she was a friend of mine. She became a very special person and I would just like to express my condolences to her family.
Judy Heitzenrater

Judy Ferber

February 22, 2022

Brenda was a kind and loving soul. I remember how kind she was to my mother and the wonderful lunch we all had together at a chess tournament. All my love to Bill.

Judy

Sharon Sebesta

February 20, 2022

I worked with Brenda and Bill for many years. Brenda was a wonderful woman. I very much enjoyed working with both Brenda and Bill. My condolences to Bill and Brenda's family as well as the Continental Chess family. May Brenda rest in peace. God Bless All!

Sharon Sebesta

George M Mirijanian

February 19, 2022

My condolences to Bill Goichberg on the passing of his wife Brenda. I was shocked when I heard the news. I have fond memories of talking to Brenda every time I visited the Continental Chess Association tournaments at Sturbridge, Mass. She was a wealth of information about what was happening in US Chess every time we talked. I will miss her very much. May she rest in peace.

Mary Tersine

February 18, 2022

My Deepest Sympathy to all the Family & Friends!

Anna Jean Williams

February 17, 2022

I am Donna Tersine's Aunt. I, too, lost my husband on January 26, 2022. I am thinking of you and wishing you peace. Brenda was full of life and had so much to offer but now she is a new star that lights the night sky and it will shine forever. I am so sorry for your loss. She will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Judith (Leksell) Heitzenrater

February 16, 2022

My sympathy to the family and prayers, I knew Brenda when we were in High School together. We graduated from Punxsutawney High School together, she was a special person and I know her family will miss her.

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