By Donald H. Harrison
SAN DIEGO — Above all, said the eulogists on Sunday, April 2, Sandra Feller Golden was an educator.
For example, said her son Jeffrey, “I can remember when I was three years old she was teaching me Shakespearean iambic pentameter…” When his own children on one occasion didn’t want to read with their grandmother, she calmly sat down on the floor and began reading to the dog. After a while the children came over to listen too—they didn’t want the dog to get ahead of them.
She “was always constructive, not critical,” said Jeffrey.
Another of Sandra and Ralph Golden’s three sons, Richard, related that Sandra had taught at all levels in the public schools, and later went back to school herself to earn a PhD in education. Then she went on to become an adjunct professor of education at National University.
On National Reading Day, said Richard, “she would dress up as a Cat in the Hat and read to kids.”
Her educational efforts extended as well to the Jewish community, in particular at the House of Israel in Balboa Park. Richard recalled one volunteer describing his mother as “a vibrant, passionate, dedicated and enthusiastic light” for the House of Israel. Sandra not only educated visitors and volunteers about Israel and the Jewish religion, but also would also instruct other volunteers what a great opportunity they had as volunteers to educate others.
Karen Golden—who is Richard’s wife and daughter-in-law to Sandra, remembered that Sandra would call her while she was attending college and encourage her in her studies, sometimes proofreading Karen’s essays and making suggestions.
Sandra Golden was born December 12, 1934 and died in hospice care after a long battle with cancer on March 29 of this year, living more than 82 years. She and Ralph were married 60 of these years, and according to their son Jeffrey, they had an agreement. “He didn’t have to go to a Shakespeare play all the time, and she didn’t always have to go camping.” Ralph along with his brother Irv and sister-in law Renee were with Sandra when she passed at Grossmont Gardens in La Mesa.
Besides volunteering at the House of Israel, Golden had been a frequent contributor to the now defunct San Diego Jewish Press-Heritage and to this successor publication, San Diego Jewish World. An active member of Ohr Shalom Synagogue, she was described by Rabbi Scott Meltzer, who officiated at the graveside service at El Camino Memorial Park attended by more than 100 mourners, as one who had “a masterpiece of a life, so beautifully led.” A representative of Delta Kappa Gamma, a group for women educators, presented a long stem flower in her honor.
Sandra and Ralph had three sons: Richard, Jeffrey, and Stuart, whose wives respectively are Karen, Allyson Kimmel, and Lin, and six grandchildren. At the funeral, their oldest granddaughter Rebecca sang the Leonard Cohen version of “Hallelujah,” and all attending probably knew that if Sandra had heard it, she would have kvelled. Or perhaps she would have devised a lesson plan.
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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com
San Diego Jewish World’s eulogy series is sponsored by Marc and Margaret Cohen in memory of Molly Cohen, and by Inland Industries Group LP in memory of long-time San Diego Jewish community leader Marie (Mrs. Gabriel) Berg.