Irene G. Sloat

On Sunday, March 27, 2022, Irene Goldin Sloat passed away at the age of 95 in Jacksonville, Florida. Irene is survived by her daughters Lisa Sloat (Hank Klein) of Miami, Florida and Lauren Sloat, of Waltham, Massachusetts, and many nieces and nephews who she enjoyed. She was preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband of 56 years, Dr. Roy Julius Sloat, and adored older brother, Dr. Jerry Goldin of New York.

Irene was born in the Astoria section of Queens, NY to Nathan and Rae Goldin, immigrants from Russia who owned a 24/7 convenience store at the bottom of an elevated train station. The taxi drivers who lined up in front of the store would take Irene to school if she was late as well as taught her to drive. Her parents saved up to send her to summer camp every year where she excelled in sports and theater productions. Irene was an excellent student. Knowing that she would get a far superior education at Julia Richmond High School in Manhattan than in her neighborhood school, unbeknownst to her parents, she took the entrance exam and told her parents only after she was accepted.

After graduating from New York University, Irene took a trip south to visit her Kipnis aunt and uncle in Jacksonville where she met her future husband. Irene’s first impression of Roy was that he was a bit conceited, but just like in a rom-com movie, she was soon won over by his charm, intelligence and sense of humor. They married a mere five months after they met.

Theirs was a long and happy marriage with many fun and laugh-filled times with family and friends. They shared numerous interests in common including golf, travel, entertaining, creating mosaics, taking dance lessons, golfing trips with other couple friends, their stock group, playing bridge, taking in a broadway play and giving one another surprise birthday parties. Irene was an excellent golfer, and had many trophies to show for her tournament successes, including those for her 3 holes-in-one.

Chief among Irene and Roy’s common interests was their dedication to the Jacksonville Jewish community and support of the organizations that sustained it. While Irene volunteered with several of these organizations, her most active participation was with River Garden Hebrew Home for the Aged. She served as President of the board of the River Garden Auxiliary which provided support to River Garden through financial contributions and hundreds of volunteer hours. She also served as an ombudsman between River Garden’s residents and staff, where her knowledge of yiddish was put to good use when language was a barrier to communication between these two groups.

Irene valued a good read, stimulating conversation, a visit to a museum, a night at the symphony and her independence. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

A very special thanks goes out to Irene’s loving caregivers and the administration of River Garden’s Home Health group. Irene was fiercely independent. The outstanding care and attention she received from the Home Health group provided the comfort and support which allowed her to live out her life in her own apartment exactly as she desired. Irene's daughters will be eternally grateful to The Home Health group along with the staff of the Coves for their support in ensuring that Irene's last years were the best that they could be.

The livestream to Irene G. Sloat's service is https://youtu.be/Z0jrrHT9oDA

https://youtu.be/fCIesqFnc7s

A graveside service will be held Wednesday, March 30 at 2:00pm at Ponte Vedra Valley Cemetery, 4750 Palm Valley Rd., Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to River Garden Staff Appreciation Fund - www.rivergarden.org/donate.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hgmandarin.com for the Sloat family.