Doris Koffler Goldfarb

November 3, 1928 –November 22, 2023

Doris Goldfarb, 95, passed away peacefully at her home after a long and fulfilling life. She was the beloved wife of Irv Goldfarb for nearly 75 years, mother to her sons Mark Goldfarb (Beth Levine) and Jerry Gold (Ken Knara), grandmother to Brittney (Aaron Noparstak) and Eliot Goldfarb, Evan and Emily Gold, and great-grandmother to Danielle and Olivia Noparstak. Doris was blessed and thrilled to be able to have her family surround her for a recent 95th birthday celebration.

Doris was born in New York to Max and Bessie (Hirschhorn) Koffler. She was predeceased by her two brothers, Henry and Jack, as well as by her cousin and surrogate sister, Esther Trontz. She grew up in the Bronx, where she met her husband and partner in life and in adventure, Irving Goldfarb. Doris and Irv married on May 29, 1949, eventually moving from the Bronx to New Jersey and then settling in Jericho, NY, on Long Island.

Accomplishing a goal she set for herself, Doris returned to college (after a break from attending City College of New York) and received her bachelor’s degree and teaching credential from Hofstra University. She then began her 15-year teaching career in Syosset, NY, where she taught 5th and 6th grades. A highlight of her career was a three-month sabbatical she took on “humanizing education.” During that time, she traveled to California and Hawaii to take courses and learn innovative ways to engage children in curriculum. Her sons recall that, when they were out to eat or around town, it was common for another child, unfamiliar to them, to approach and say, “Hi, Mrs. Goldfarb!” They grew to realize they shared their Mom’s warmth, humor and wit with hundreds of other kids. She was proud to have touched the lives of so many children through teaching.

Doris and Irv traveled extensively and had countless adventures in the U.S. and abroad. They kept a world map in their home office with pins in every place they had visited. The map is covered with little red pinheads because they traveled to six continents, countless countries, and most of the 50 United States. For 10 years, Doris and Irv owned a studio apartment in Marbella, Spain, which they visited during school vacations and summers. Once they gave up the apartment in Spain, Doris retired and she and Irv moved from Long Island to Solana Beach and eventually settled in La Jolla, California, in 1989, where they have lived ever since.

In retirement, Doris enjoyed watching her sons mature and achieve their own professional goals and reveled in her growing family. She loved her four grandchildren immensely and encouraged each of them to find their passion. More recently, she delighted in watching her identical twin great-granddaughters grow and develop into busy little toddlers. She had many friends and took great interest in her local community, Congregation Beth Israel, and Hadassah.

Despite the bumps and hurdles life presented to her, Doris nevertheless approached life with joy, infectious laughter, a love of people, friends, and adventure. She always moved forward with admirable positivity and fortitude. Doris followed politics with a spirited and concerned interest and, when she saw new places and met new people, she was keen to gain new perspectives.

Doris is survived by her husband, Irv, her sons, their partners, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements have been made at El Camino Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Jewish Family Service, Congregation Beth Israel or to a charity of your choice.

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