Dorothy Alice (Ridush) “Dottie” Goldfarb, 85, was born June 25, 1931, the second of three sisters, to Lottie and John Ridush of Garfield, N.J.
Goldfarb went to school in Garfield and just by happenstance, while helping a cousin type some business cards, she met the man who was to be her lifetime partner, Alvin “Al” Goldfarb. It was not easy getting there, but they overcame their “potpourri of religions” (four total) to marry 65 years ago, on Nov. 18, 1951, in the Blanchard Chapel, First Presbyterian Church, Passaic, N.J. They had four children together.
Soon after being married, they set up house in Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa., while he finished at the Philadelphia College of Textiles & Science. Goldfarb worked, helped her husband pay tuition and hosted many dinners for college mates and lifelong friends. After graduating, Alvin Goldfarb received his commission in the U.S. Navy and attended Navy Supply Corps School in Bayonne, N.J.
Soon after their first child was born, Alvin Goldfarb received orders to report to Long Beach, Calif., to meet his ship, the tanker the U.S.S. Ashtabula. Not wanting the family to be separated, the family traveled 13 days across the country in a new Ford wagon, without air conditioning or disposable diapers. It was an extended honeymoon and a life-altering trip for Goldfarb. They lived in Los Angeles until Alvin Goldfarb returned from deployment in Sasebo, Japan, and Korea.
Goldfarb built up a character and reserve that remained with her for life, and she reflected her caring and love for all her children and those who came in contact with her. She was quiet, polite and just a classy lady. And she became a great cook and baker.
Each child has a different feeling and remembrance and love for their mother. Goldfarb’s own fondest moments were after the family built a grand house in Franklin Lakes, N.J., and joined the new First Presbyterian Church, where she sang in the choir.
They moved to Rehoboth Beach, Del., in 1984, the same day their first grandchild was born. Goldfarb designed and help build this last home on the water, leaving her own indelible mark on the house. Their world travels expanded once they befriended Bill and Barbara Timmons (“Bill passed last year, and all our travel plans ended and the golden years started tarnishing quickly. But the memories linger on,” said Alvin Goldfarb).
In addition to her husband, Alvin, Goldfarb is survived by four children, David and his wife, Patricia, Susan White, Brian and his wife, Luann, and Lori Thomas; special grandchildren, Erika Goldfarb and her fiancé, Dan Castro, Lauren Goldfarb, Dani Dieterle, Ellie Mertz, Irene Mertz, Kelsey, Emma, Sam, Ryan, Thomas, Taylor, Chad, Thomas and Lex; great-grandchildren, Averie Hunter Thomas and Ava Jade Delazzer; a sister, Norma and her husband, Jack DeWitt; and “granddog,” Iris (a.k.a. Lotus, Hydrangea and “puppy”), who was a comfort at Goldfarb’s side, looking for a wheelchair ride.
The family thanked Karin DiCarolis, her caregiver for the past five years, who helped Goldfarb bake and cook
again, all from the confines of her wheelchair, making her life comfortable and bearable. They also thanked their friends, her many doctors, neighbors and family members who helped Goldfarb through her last struggles, especially Delaware Hospice, who brought comfort beyond words.
A dear friend, Dr. Fran, once told the family, at the passing of Goldfarb’s sister, Jean: “Death comes as a very sad and difficult event. We are all born and all die, and we know that from the day we are able to understand life and that has been so for thousands of years, and yet, we, all of us, are not ready for it, the unknown, the permanence the irrevocability, who knows. … All we know is it hurts and grief is so difficult.”
Burial was to be private. All are invited to a celebration of life luncheon Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, at 1 p.m. at Glade Club House, 16 Glade Farm Road, Rehoboth Beach, Del. Condolences may be sent online at www.melsonfuneralservices.com. Memorial contributions to Delaware Hospice are welcome.