Joyce R. Goldman

1942 - 2014

GOLDMAN Joyce R. Goldman, 72, who helped educate thousands of Jacksonville teenagers over a 32-year teaching career, passed away on March 25 after a lengthy illness. Born in New York, January 6th 1942, Joyce moved to Miami as a child and graduated from the University of Miami before moving with her husband Ken Goldman to the Jacksonville area. Mrs. Goldman taught at Jacksonville Jackson High School, Fort Caroline Junior High, Fletcher Junior High, and James Weldon Johnson Middle School. In the 1980s, she was one of a handful of teachers in Florida to be recognized by the state as a National Merit teacher. She taught science for about 25 years before switching to computer science and was the school Science Fair coordinator at Jackson High School. In one year, five of her 10th grade students -- competing against 10th, 11th and 12th graders throughout Northeast Florida-won first place in their respective category at the Regional High School Science Fair. Later, a 9th grader was one of two to represent Northeast Florida at the International Science Fair. She was one of the first teachers in Florida certified to teach computer science. Mrs. Goldman's creative teaching style resulted in a love affair between her and her beloved students. Upon graduation, several former students frequently visited her at her home. Many went on to careers in science and medicine. Mrs. Goldman is survived by her husband of 49 years - former Jacksonville Journal newspaper reporter - Kenneth Goldman; a son David Goldman; a daughter Denise Goldman; and a grandson Daniel Goldman. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday March 31, 2014 at the Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Rd., Jacksonville FL 32218. The family encourages former students to attend and/or send condolences via the Times Union obituaries guest book online. To honor Joyce's final wishes, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jacksonville Humane Society at www.jaxhumane.org or call 904-725-8766 to donate in her memory. Arrangements are under the direction of George H. Hewell and Son Funeral Home, 4140 University Blvd., S. 904-737-4855, hewellfuneralhomes.com Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com