Jean Elizabeth Goldberg

Jean was born on December 1, 1930, in Wilmington, Delaware, daughter of the late Gladys and Clarence Thomas. She graduated from P.S. duPont High School. With a quiet determination to become a teacher, she continued her education at The University of Delaware, graduating in 1952 with a B.S. in Education and a minor in Music.

Growing up in a home that fostered a love of music and gifted with an angelic lyric soprano voice, further refined with years of training, Jean’s voice filled many churches, auditoriums, and stages with beautiful hymns, operatic arias, and show tunes. She developed a superb sense of understated classic style and a natural talent for women’s retail merchandising while working at Braunstein’s Dept Store in Wilmington, a job she enjoyed immensely and continued throughout college.

A caring, kind, and gifted teacher, Jean sought to make each of her students feel valued and heard. She began her teaching career as a first grade teacher in Wilmington and continued to teach in Pittsburgh, PA; Rahway, NJ; and Raleigh, NC.

Jean met Dick Goldberg in the last semester of their senior year in college. They were married in 1953 and started their married life in Dick’s hometown of Dunellen, NJ. In 1962, they began a journey that took them to Savannah, GA, Charleston, SC, Charlotte, NC, and finally settling in Raleigh, NC in 1965. They were married for 60 years until Dick’s death in 2013.

Jean was a devoted member of St. Giles Presbyterian Church until 2019, serving in multiple leadership roles. Her fondest memories were her time spent on the building committee, which gave direction for the future design and development of their contemporary church campus, and her years directing the Chorister Choir. She also served as an elder, adult choir member, Sunday school teacher, circle chair, and a member of the Presbyterian Women’s Coordinating Council. She was honored by the St. Giles Women of the Church organization with an Honorary Life Membership. Her faith guided her life, and she used her gifts and talents to serve well.

As Jean and Dick raised their three children in Raleigh, she substituted at Lacy Elementary School, taught Kindergarten at Ridge Road Baptist Church, and was employed as an administrative assistant at Capital Area OB/GYN. She later tutored at local elementary schools including those where several of her grandchildren attended.

In November 2008, Jean and Dick moved from their home of 36 years to the Cypress of Raleigh. They created wonderful friendships and Jean continued to use her gifts and talents to impact those around her.

Surviving are her daughters, Janey Hunter (Carey) of Raleigh and Jill Kispert (John) of Atherton, CA; her six adored grandchildren, John Hunter (Zoe), Katie Hunter Snow (Rob), Sarah Paige Hunter, Logan Hunter, Julia Kispert, and John Kispert; three great grandchildren; and three nieces and a nephew.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Dick Goldberg; her son, Thomas Richard Goldberg (Tommy); and her sisters, Elaine Markwalder and Shirley Thomas.

The care Jean received from the staff at the Cypress of Raleigh and Transitions LifeCare was exemplary. Her family wishes to extend its heartfelt gratitude and admiration for the compassionate, attentive, and skilled care Jean received over the last few months.

A Celebration of Jean’s Life was held on Saturday, September 27, at 1:00 at Hayes Barton UMC, 2209 Fairview Rd. The family received friends following the service in the Fellowship Hall.

The family asks, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Tommy Goldberg Memorial Endowment Fund, by using the link below under 'Donations', or to the Hayes Barton UMC Music Fund (checks to HBUMC with music fund in memory of Jean Goldberg in memo line), 2209 Fairview Rd. Raleigh, NC 27608.

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