Joyce Carolyn Goldberg

Joyce Goldberg (Miller) passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday, December 27 ^th .  She was 84 years old.   Joyce was born on October 2, 1935 in Watseka, IL – the beloved only child of Essyl and Henry (Boney) Miller and was raised in Donovan, IL.  Joyce grew up on a farm and acquired the many skills needed to help out from her mother and father. She tended the animals, baked, canned, knit, cooked, became an excellent seamstress – skills she applied the rest of her life to nourish and delight her children and friends.

Joyce graduated from Illinois State Normal University with a B.S. in Secondary Education.   In 1958, she married David A. Goldberg.  She taught school in Washburn, Ashland, Orno and Minnetonka.  She then progressed, as she liked to call it to a “mom degree”.   Joyce and Dave had three children – Cheryl, David and Darrell. She was enormoulsy proud of her children – who all inherited her strong spirit, sense of independence and generous hearts.   They also inherited her keen competitive nature.  Joyce loved games – especially the game of Golf.  Her grandchildren referred to her as the Queen of Ridgeview, as Ridgeview Golf Club was a place in which she was well respected for her competitive golf, her involvement and her straight on personality.  It was a place near and dear to her heart – one in which she was awarded a lifetime membership in honor of her contributions.

Joyce also was a loyal and generous friend who loved to play bridge, mahjong and cards with her many wonderful friends. She took great delight in all her friendships.  She had a large circle of golfing and card playing friends in Green Valley  AZ, where she wintered for over 30 years.  She was a 60 year member of Ladies Auxiliary, Order of Eastern Star and the Elks.   Joyce’s greatest joy, however, were her children and her grandchildren.   She set a high standard of honesty, fairness and civility for them to follow.  She was full of wisdom – sometimes delivered rather bluntly – but always providing a guide to grow as a person.  Joyce had an open, accepting heart – all were welcome.  She had another set of surrogate children – friends of her children who would end up being an important part of her family – namely Jim Dwyer and Matt Stevens.   There were no boundaries to her love.

Joyce is survived by her three children, Darrell Goldberg,  David (Maile) Goldberg and Cheryl (Gregg) Batinich Goldberg,  grandchildren Kyle (Nikki), Wesley (Megan), Austin and Meggan Goldberg, Zachery and Ali Goldberg, Adam, Tyler and Gabriela Batinich and step-grandchildren Jennifer (Miguel) Batinich and Molly (Ken) Barnhart.   She is also survived by great grandchildren Parker, Isabella, Ryan, Dakota and Lucas.  Her extended family included Jim and Andrea Dwyer (James, Mark), Matt and Nicola Stevens (Mackenzie, McKayla ).

Joyce and her family are grateful for the compassionate care provided by Pat and Angela, as well as the many doctors and nurses who provided care for her as her health began to decline.   While her body slowed, her mind was always sharp, witty, funny and ready to give her opinion and advice.   We loved her for that.

Visitation will be January 2 ^nd – Thursday at Dougherty Funeral Home from 5 to 7pm.  Funeral will be held at Glen Avon Presbyterian Church (2105 Woodland Avenue) on Friday, January 3 ^rd with visitation at 10am and service at 11am.  A  Celebration of Life will be held at Ridgeview Country Club following the service with a luncheon, smiles and laughter as we all remember Joyce.  Memorials are preferred and may be directed to Glen Avon Presbyterian Church.  Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E 2 ^nd St. Duluth, MN, (218) 727-3555.