Dona Goldman

Dona DeGroff Goldman, RN, 84 of Division St, Amsterdam, New York passed away Sunday evening after a short illness, December 4 at her home with her loving family and friends at her side. Dona was born August 10, 1927 to the loving parents of John H. DeGroff and Marion Skaine DeGroff. She graduated from Amsterdam High School in 1945. Dona graduated from St. Luke's School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse in 1948 and later graduated with a Bachelor's degree in nursing from New York City College. Dona served her country as a Registered Nurse Cadet during WWII. She married Jerome Goldman in 1951 after meeting him in a book store that he owned. Their love of words and books brought them together. They settled in Brooklyn, NY for 35 years and she returned to Amsterdam in 1989 after Jerome's death in 1988. Dona worked as an Operating Room Registered Nurse at St. Luke's Hospital in Manhattan and later at St. Guiles Hospital in Brooklyn, retiring in 1971 to care for her family. Dona was a collector and although she collected many things one of her greatest joys was collecting friends. Dona was lovingly known by all as Aunt Dona "with one n". She derived great pleasure from entertaining her friends and family throughout her life while sharing her passion for opera, ballet and classical music. Dona cherished 82 summers at the camp her father built on East Caroga Lake. She spent many years of service with the East Caroga Lake Protective Association advocating for both the preservation of the shoreline and the lake. She was the water tester for the town of Caroga for many years and was instrumental in acquiring a grant to harvest the Caroga Lake weeds. She was lovingly known at the "Weed Lady". Dona also taught classes about duck behavior at the Wheelerville Union Free School for many years. Dona was a lover of the arts and a philanthropist. She supported many causes, among them: civil rights, environmental protection, the arts and the advancement of women. Dona was a member of the DAR, the AAUW and the Historical Society. She was a patron of the Walter Elwood Museum and the Friends of the Amsterdam Library. In addition she was a board member of the East Caroga Lake Protective Association for many years. Dona is survived by her beloved cousins who called her Aunt Dona : Kaye Schrader Bill, Brett Schrader, Tyler Schrader, Mark Van Deusen Debbie, Brittany Van Deusen, Alex Van Deusen and Andrea Rich. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Sheila Goldman her nephews and nieces Bruce Goldman Kim, Alex Goldman, Michele Lamazow Marshall, Amanda Lamazow, Michael Goldman Andrea, Johnathon Goldman, Matthew Goldman, Kenny Shelton, Marley Shelton, Penn Shelton, Gary Shelton Rochelle, Gaby Wayner John, Rena BenShalom, Jay BenShalom Mindy, Leora BenShalom, Paul Bender, Daryl, Michael Bender, Becky Bender and her many dear friends. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 10, 2011, at 1:00pm at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, NY, 12010. Interment will take place at Fairview Cemetery, Amsterdam, following the service. Calling hours will be held on Saturday from 11:00am to 1:00pm at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made in Dona's memory to the Dona Goldman East Caroga Lake Preservation Foundation, in care of the funeral home.