Laurie Goldberg

Laurie was, in the words of one friend, “sunshine in human form.” She was caring, loving, selfless, and endlessly generous with her time and attention. She made friends wherever she went and kept in touch faithfully with people across the country, often checking in every day. She remembered what mattered to people, always had a kind word to offer, and loved sharing advice and wisdom passed down by her mother. One of her favorite sayings was, “The road to a friend’s house is never long,” a reflection of the way she lived and the joy she found in staying close to family and friends.

Born in Boston and raised in Brookline, Massachusetts, Laurie was the daughter of the late Sydney and Mildred Lerner Trushin. She attended Northeastern University, where she met Joel Goldberg, who would become her husband of 53 years. Together, they made Henniker their home for 43 years and raised their sons, Greg and Jeff, there.

For 38 years, Laurie was a devoted educator at Henniker Community School, working with generations of children from preschool through second grade. For many students and families, she was one of the constants of school life: a joyful, caring presence who noticed when someone needed help and never hesitated to offer it. Her kindness extended just as naturally to colleagues, many of whom became close friends, making her an essential part of the school community. She was recently honored with the district’s Portrait of a Learner Award for bringing its core values to life each day.

Laurie’s connections extended throughout Henniker, including many years of involvement with the Friends of the Tucker Free Library. But the center of her life was always the people she loved. She treasured time with her family and her many friends, and she was devoted to keeping those relationships close. Few things brought her more happiness than hearing from someone she cared about, sharing a story, or making sure a friend knew she was thinking of them.

In keeping with the generosity that defined her life, Laurie was able to give the gift of organ donation. Her donations saved the lives of three people in their 50s and early 60s, a remarkable reflection of her health and vitality. Through them, a part of Laurie may live on for decades to come.

Laurie is survived by her husband, Joel Goldberg; her sons, Greg Goldberg of Henniker and Jeff Goldberg of Los Angeles, California; her sister, Joni Saloman; her brothers-in-law, Mark and Carl Goldberg of Bradford, New Hampshire; and several beloved nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her siblings, Susan Michaels and Ronald Trushin.

A celebration of Laurie’s life will be held Sunday, June 14, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Temple Beth Jacob, 67 Broadway in Concord, New Hampshire. The memorial service will begin at 1:00 p.m., followed by time together at the temple. Additional details and RSVP information are available at lauriegoldberg.rsvpify.com.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the GoFundMe established by friends in her memory. www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-beloved-henniker-school-staff-member