Michele Ann Goldman

Beloved mother of Jodi Meltzer and her husband Scott of North Easton, MA and Adam Goldman and his wife Jeimy of Costa Rica. Adored grandmother of Alex, Ashley, and Charly. Cherished daughter of Joyce Almeida of Colorado Springs, CO. Loving sister of Joyce Bloomer and her husband Jeff of Colorado Springs, CO.

Memorial service will be held at Stanetsky Memorial Chapel, 475 Washington Street, Canton, MA on Wednesday, November 13 at 12:00 noon.

Burial will be at Sharon Memorial Park, Sharon, MA.

Shiva observance following interment will be at the home of Roni Seigel.

Charitable contributions in memory of Michele may be made to Ovations for the Cure, 251 West Central Street, Suite 35, Natick, MA www.ovationsforthecure.org or Farm Sanctuary, P.O. Box 150 Watkins Glen, NY 14891 www.farmsanctuary.org.

EULOGY AS GIVEN BY MICHELE'S DAUGHTER, JODI MELTZER

When my beloved Mom had her first recurrence of ovarian cancer back in 2004, I felt a sense of urgency to ensure I knew all of her stories, her cherished memories, her favorite things. She loved to tell me that there was one held close to her era in particular that she held close to her heart.

When I was a little girl, we would set off for a brisk walk down to the neighborhood flower store in Quincy—red wagon in tow, pigtails flowing in the wind—to buy flowers and seeds to plant in our garden. She knew everything about flowers, birds, and butterflies and wanted me to appreciate nature’s gifts. I learned to see the true beauty that surrounds us every day through my Mother’s eyes.

I asked my Mom, “What is your favorite flower?” as I sat beside her during one of her grueling chemotherapy treatments. She told me lilacs. I was satisfied with that answer, but she wasn’t. My Mom sent me a letter at midnight that I am going to read to you.

Dear Jodi,

As I sit here in front of my computer when I should be sleeping.. thoughts of all kinds tumble around in my head.. Mostly, what I'm thinking about is flowers..

Someone asks you.. "What is your favorite flower?" Now there is a question. You think you know the answer…lilacs.. of course.. but you soon realize.."subject to change without notice" becomes the new rule..

Long ago I learned that if you want to have a beautiful floweryou really must do things to assure that you will.They are delicate ..those flowers..You have to prepare the soil by adding just the right mixture of sand..You must make sure the roots get enough drainage.. and food for continued growth..You water to assure that the flowerwill grow and thrive in the hot sun.. And yet.. the sun's rays are what the flower grows toward.. how ironic..

You start off with a little plant.. it's so tender and so helpless.. innocent.. You dig just the right size hole and you put it in ever so tenderly. Each day you check on the progress.. a new leaf.. a little taller.. Any disease.. you nip it off before it becomes anything serious. If you've planted it in just the right sunlight.. and soil.. one day you're going to go out there and that plant is going to have a flower bud.. You will look at it every day.. wonder what that flower is going to look like.. think about it when you're not looking.. and wait. You're going to imagine all kinds of things about that flower..wish all kinds of things for that flower..No rain storms.. lots of sunshine.. You are careful to feed it and water it.. and you wait..

One morning. when the sun is just right.. that flower is going to bloom.. You'll be looking around and all of a sudden.. it's a real flower.. You can't imagine how beautiful something can be until you've seen it. Your heart is full.. You look at this beautiful flowerand you know you had something to do with it.. but somewhere inside.. that flower had something to do with it too. You can't take all the credit but..you're proud..so very proud.. You may have helped it grow and bloom…but you didn't do it all by yourself..

That flower had a strong desire to grow and bloom where many other blooms withered on the vine or feel to the ground. You just marvel at that flower.. all the things you imagined and now.. it's even more beautiful than any imaginings. The sweetness of it is intoxicating.. and you are carried away by the scent. You are swept back into a time when it was just a bud.. that far recess of your mind.. into remembering.

A bee lands on it.. and you want it to be pollinated.. you want it to flourish.. You even love the bee for making your flowereven more wonderful. And life is good.. and all the waiting was worth it.. You are so proud.. it's my flower.. and yet.. it's not totally yours.. just sometimes..

You'll never pick that flower.. You'll let the roots grow stronger.. and want more flowers to bloom.. And as you grow older.. you'll find strength in the beauty. And..as you sit beside it ...you'll know what love is..

And now when someone asks me, "What is my favorite flower?"…I won't say lilacs.. or violets…I'll say.. it's you..Jodi.”

May the sun always shine down on you…may you find strength in the roots you've planted…and may you always have love in your life..

Love, Mom

My Mom was my favorite flower, too. She was my one source of pure, unfiltered light and unconditional love, always showing me the way. When people call me “My Mother’s daughter” I radiate happiness because I know what an incredible compliment that is.

When I used to pull that red wagon down to the flower store with my Mom as a little girl, I didn’t believe in death. I told her that our cat Greekie who had passed away didn’t really die…that he clung on to a flower and burst right back through the ground again to be with us...we just couldn't see him. That thought gave me an overwhelming sense of peace and it still does, especially today.

Mom, extraordinary flowers will bloom this spring because they will be sprinkled with your beautiful spirit. I will never be the same without you, but I promise I will try to be as resilient as you were. I know you will want me to smile through the profound pain of losing you when I see flowers break through the ground. I will see you in every flower, every butterfly, every bird, and every garden. I will see your reflection in my childrens' eyes, too. I love you like no other, and no other will love me like you did. I will raise my children like you raised me, and hope they have half as much love, adoration, and respect as I have for you. I love you beyond the stars that separate us.

WE REMEMBER HER

At the rising of the sun and at its going down,

we remember her.

At the blowing of the wind and the chill of winter,

we remember her.

At the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring,

we remember her.

At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer,

we remember her.

At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of autumn,

we remember her.

At the beginning of the year and when it ends,

we remember her.

As long as we live, she too will live; for she is now a part of us,

as we remember her.

When we are weary and in need of strength,

we remember her.

When we are lost and sick at heart,

we remember her.

When we have joy we crave to share,

we remember her.

When we have decisions that are difficult to make,

we remember her.

When we have achievements that are based on hers,

we remember her.

As long as we live, she too will live; for she is now a part of us.

~ a meditation from Rabbi Sylvan Kamens & Rabbi Jack Reimer