Goldie Corash Michelson passed away peacefully at home, one month shy of her 114th birthday, on July 8, 2016. Goldie was the oldest living American, and the oldest Jewish person in the world! Goldie goes to join her beloved husband, David, and brothers Harry and Jack Corash. She was surrounded by the three wonderful women who have cared for her with great kindness, Regina, Anne, and Wacugu. Goldie leaves behind her daughter Renee Minsky and her husband Leonard of Bangor, Maine, her granddaughter, Marilyn Melton, and her husband, Dennis of Scarborough, Maine, her great grand children Dani Minsky and Maya Melton, and several nieces and nephews.
Born in Elizabethgrad, Russia, Goldie moved to Worcester at the age of two. Goldie attended Worcester schools, and graduated from Brown University. She served as President of the Brown University Worcester Alumni Association. After the birth of her daughter, she returned to college, earning a Masters degree in sociology from Clark University. Her thesis discussed immigration and assimilation, something Goldie worked hard to spearhead in her own community, and a subject just as timely, some 80 years later.
She had a life long interest in theater, even turning the basement of her home into a theater complete with stage lights and a star on the dressing room door, where local children performed for their friends and families. Goldie directed and guided numerous theater groups, with particular interest in children’s theater. She extended this interest as a director for a variety of organizations including the Council of Jewish Women, Hadassah, Brown College Club, The Society for Older Adults, Worcester Girls Club, Red Cross, and the Brandeis Women’s Group. She was a member of the Advisory Board of the forum Theater, and a charter member of the committee that founded Workshop Presents, a very early theater group in Worcester. This interest culminated in the creation of the David and Goldie Michelson Drama Fund at Clark University, and the funding of the renovation of the student theater at Clark, which has been rededicated as the Michelson Theater.
Goldie was a strong believer in community service and served on the boards of the Worcester Area Mental Health Association and the Worcester City Hospital Auxiliary. She was active in Hadassah, the Council of Jewish Women, the Sisterhood of Temple Emanuel, and the Brandeis University Women’s Auxiliary. She chaired the Worcester County March of Dimes Drive, was a Red Cross teacher during WW2, taught public speaking at the YWCA, was a tutor in the Hearts Program, judged debating contests at Worcester State College, volunteered at the Worcester Area Mental Health Half-Way Club, and put countless energy into assisting immigrants, teaching them English and assisting with job placement. Goldie was a staunch believer in fairness and equality.
Her interest in both health and education was reflected in her membership in the Worcester Biological Foundation, and the funding of a conference room at U Mass Medical Center. She recently presented a Torah to Temple Sinai in honor of Rabbi Seth Berstein’s 25 years of service to the congregation.
Goldie was most appreciative of the wonderful care she received from her team of caretakers, and pleased with the congratulatory messages and honors she received on her 110th birthday. She was especially proud of the American flag that had flown over the White House, and was presented to her on her 108th birthday by Senator Susan Collins of Maine. It is proudly displayed in her living room, near the baby grand piano she played until just a few years ago.
Goldie lived a wonderful life. She traveled the world, read voraciously, was never bored, and was always interested in the world and the people around her. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
A Graveside Service will be held at 1:00pm on Sunday, July 10th at B’nai B’rith Cemetery, 55 St. Johns Rd., Worcester. Funeral Arrangements under the care of CALLAHAN FAY & CASWELL FUNERAL HOME, 61 Myrtle St., Worcester.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the David and Goldie Michelson Drama Fund c/o Advancement Office, Clark University, 950 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01610 or to a charity of your choice.