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Elizabeth Goodman Obituary
LOUDONVILLE - Elizabeth Goodman died in her home, on March 1, 2025, with family by her side. Born April 21, 1939, Beth grew up in the Bronx, N.Y., with her parents, Irving and Sylvia Kirsch, and brother, Bob. A talented artist, she graduated from the High School of Music and Art, and earned her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from SUNY Oneonta. Beth spent over 40 years teaching kindergarten in South Colonie, where she was adored by students and teachers alike. She inspired creativity through the arts and adorned her classroom with brightly colored children's artwork.
Beth enjoyed music, theater, art festivals, farmers' markets, reading in her backyard, long walks, watching PBS, decorating her home with art and antiques, and acting silly. Beth was incredibly generous and would happily give you the sweater off her back or a piece of pottery or jewelry admired in her home. She enjoyed taking friends and family out to lunch and dinner, often to a favorite diner. Being with family, especially her granddaughters and great-granddaughters, made "Grami Beth" extremely happy.
Beth deeply loved and was loved by her daughters, Hali Holmes, Jodi Goodman, and Kerri Saunders; granddaughters, Lyndsi Wickert and Mikaela Holmes; great-granddaughters, Emily and Zoey Wickert; sons-in-law, Steve Holmes, Mark Gavin, and Joel Saunders; grandson-in-law, Josh Wickert; and many wonderful friends and neighbors. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Beth's family would like to thank her compassionate caregivers and the supportive staff of Community Hospice.
A celebration of Beth’s life will take place Saturday, April 26 at 11:00 AM at the UUSS, 1221 Wendell Ave, Schenectady. Donations in Beth's memory can be made to Spina Bifida Association of N.Y.S., Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood, Regional Food Bank of Northeastern N.Y., or the ACLU.
Memories and Condolences
for Elizabeth Goodman
20 Entries
Heather Thorne
June 23, 2025
I wanted to share these pictures I have with Mrs.Goodman. She was my kindergarten teacher back in 1998 and I absolutely loved her. She was the best teacher and the sweetest person. She never lost contact with my parents and I throughout me growing up and I´ll always cherish that. Rest in Peace Mrs. Goodman and sending all my condolences to all the family
Michelle
June 7, 2025
Mrs. Goodman was my kindergarten teacher and she was SO kind and creative. She would draw our portrait from our school picture and interview us, I´ll never forget her! I ran into a few years ago and she yelled my name she knew exactly who I was and it´s been a long time since I was her student. May she rest in peace, what a beautiful life she created.
Judy Posner (Helsel)
April 20, 2025
Beth was my first & oldest friend. We met in Parkchester & although our lives diverged we always kept a tenuous thread . I last saw her 6 years ago in Loudenville when we were both 80. I will always remember her with love. Judy Posner ( Helsel)
Maryrita Dobiel
April 6, 2025
Beth was a wonderful neighbor. I will miss her.
M. McCormick
March 14, 2025
Many years ago she was my kindergarten teacher at West Albany Elementary school, and she was the best. I would see her from time to time in Colonie and talk . My condolences to her family.
Lynn & Stacey Sipperly
March 14, 2025
To Jodi & Hali. Our sincere condolences on the loss of your mother Beth. So many memories when our kids played together. We have a wonderful water color painting she drew which still hangs in our home. Any children who had mom as a teacher in kindergarten (as our kids did) had a wonderful foundation.
Rose DelanoyBikowitz
March 13, 2025
You were such a special person! So kind, caring and just lovely! We were lucky to have you teach a few of my sisters at West Albany and then even luckier to have you teach my youngest boy, so many years later! You were a pioneer for inclusion in the classroom and I will always remember your support and love! My deepest sympathy to your family.
Brendan Sullivan
March 10, 2025
Condolences on behalf of all of us here at EHWC.
A student
March 10, 2025
Ms. Goodman was my first teacher and she was such a kind soul, so much so that I remember her fondly over 25 years later. To her family, I am so sorry for your loss. She was an amazing woman and I am blessed to have been taught by her.
Chris Berben
March 10, 2025
Put great impression on me being my 1st teacher don´t reason ya mom done that to me but must have been her personality , decorations she had in the classroom many years ago she will be missed my deepest condolences to her family
Debbie Gentile
March 9, 2025
Beth was a loving and inspiring teacher who always brought out the best in her students. She believed that each child was an artist at heart and knew how to nurture that love of the arts!!
She was a trusted colleague and a kindhearted friend. I have many happy memories of working with Beth.
My deepest sympathy.
Lisa Plew
March 9, 2025
Beth was one of a kind. We lost an amazing woman. She was always there to help you during tough times and had the greatest ability to make you see the bright side of things. She was so funny, loving and a way cool lady. I am sending
My deepest condolences to her daughters and entire family. Rest easy beautiful Beth.
Ed. Plew
March 8, 2025
My heart is broken. A big piece of me died with the loss of Beth. Can I tell you how tormented I was to see her suffering a great lady a great woman a great friend I will miss her every day the rest of my life.
Sandy
March 7, 2025
I can't imagine anyone meeting you and not becoming your best friend. RIP Beth.
Karen Ingersoll (sitterly)
March 7, 2025
I worked with her many years ago. Last spoke with her at Elyse Faber Fogelman 's services. My heart aches. She loved art and gifted our kindergartebers with money to produce art. She was a gift on Earth and inspired many.
Michele+Rudy Santoli
March 7, 2025
Beth started out as a neighbor and quickly became a friend. We celebrated with our children and "pet sat" each other's animals. Life was enriched by the Goodmans, especially Beth. Our prayers are with you all.
Ellen Krapf
March 7, 2025
Chris and I would like to send our condolences to Hali and the entire family. We hope your memories will warm your heart. Beth sounds like she was a very special person.
Chris and Ellen Krapf
Chris
March 7, 2025
BETH, we had the best of times, talking and laughing about life!
I coached your daughter and became friends with your family. What a wonderful life you led!
You will be missed.
Judy Allen
March 7, 2025
Hali and Jodie, I am so sorry about the loss of your vibrant mom. She was such a creative teacher...the perfect kindergarten teacher...and a wonderful friend that I met two days after I finished college. I also knew her in a different role...that of supportive parent...when I taught both of you in fifth grade. She was a fantastic woman and wonderful friend.
Our paths diverged in the 2000's, but we talked from time to time and laughed as if time had stood still. I loved your mom and will miss not being able to hear her voice from those long talks. May she rest in peace and if you ladies would like to contact me and catch up on your lives and that of your wonderful mom, I am on Facebook and can be contacted on here as well. Sending hugs.
Marcia Glynn
March 7, 2025
Hali and Jodi, your mom was my colleague and my friend from when Bill started teaching with her at West Albany to many years teaching with her in our open classroom at Roessleville ! Bonnie, she and I were the 3 amigos as kindergarten teachers with so many fun times. I cherished her friendship with so many escapades including going to buy a Charlie Brown Hannukah bush, doing a Chinese fire drill in downtown Albany, dressing up like Lucy and Ethel to help Bonnie clean her house before a party, plus numerous fun and maybe unmentionable escapades! I miss my precious friend and am sending my condolences and love to you!
Showing 1 - 20 of 20 results
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