Joan Woods Golden

Joan Woods Golden passed away peacefully in her sleep surrounded by family and love on April 13, 2016 at Pennybyrn at Maryfield in High Point, following after a courageous battle with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Born and baptized on 3/28/31 in Bayonne, NJ, Joan arrived 6 weeks early as a miracle preemie not expected to make it; proving early on she would always be a strong, determined and independent soul. And through the Great Depression, the loss of a beloved cousin in World War II and the sorrow of losing her husband at an early age, she showed time and again strength and spirit which inspired all lucky enough to have known her. Cherished only child of Bernard Edward Woods and Marion Agnes Barrett, Joan grew up surrounded by extended family in a place where being part of the community meant everything. Her unwavering Catholic faith was, and remained, the center of her life, as did doing good works for others. As a child, Joan earnestly collected tin foil for the war effort and even bobbed her long platinum locks so it could be used in instrumentation. Joan graduated from Holy Family Academy and the Scudder Finishing and Secretarial School and worked on Wall Street as a financial secretary. Joan loved the vibrancy of New York and learning from the varied experiences and backgrounds of people around her. Every person had a story to Joan - and she relished learning each one. In 1952, Joan met the love of her life, John M. ""Jack"" Golden at a church dance. Jack called it love at first sight and Joan recalled being immediately charmed by this rakish and humorous Irish rogue. They were married at St Vincent's Parish in Bayonne on May 15, 1954. They became loving parents to four children, who all survive her. John (Janet) of Fairview, NC. Brian (Teresa) of Baton Rouge, LA. Christian (Michele) of Oak Park, IL and Mary Golden-Hughes (Chris) of Harrisonburg, VA. This native Garden Stater found her true home in Winston-Salem, when opportunity brought her family to North Carolina. It became her most beloved community. She was a supportive corporate wife and quickly became a cherished and active community volunteer. Joan worked as a candy striper at Baptist Hospital, in the office of St. Leo School and organized countless fundraising events for St. Leo the Great parish where she was a member for 44 years. The measure of the monies she raised and the people of all walks of life she mentored, those she gave purpose to, and assisted can never be known. In 1976, Joan's life was turned upside down when her beloved husband, Jack, died in a tragic car accident. Her firm resolve, steadfast faith and shrewd business acumen enabled her to raise and send her four children through college on her own. Although her husband had been the treasurer for RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company, at home Joan was the consummate financial planner, stock market fanatic and keen budgeter who kept her family going. To provide for and to secure her family's future, she went back to work in the business offices of Western Electric and later at Bishop McGuinness Memorial High School, from which she retired. Joan loved to travel and sought every opportunity to broaden her horizons. She traveled to every continent (other than Antarctica) by plane, train and automobile. But preferably, by cruise ship. She also kept, and deepened her Winston roots. Joan was active in the St. Therese's Guild, Bible study and other ministries of her church - all of which broadened her spiritual and social horizons and quenched her lifelong love of learning about our Lord. In her later years she mixed her love for design and home furnishings by working at the High Point Furniture Market and rekindled her love for newborns and parenting by volunteering as a receptionist at the Forsyth Medical Center Ronald McDonald House. Loving and spending time with her twelve grandchildren consumed her later years as she because ""grandma on the go"" traveling to Illinois, Louisiana, Virginia and overseas to Singapore and India countless times to be an active presence in her grandchildren's lives. She was an enthusiastic supporter of all their efforts, attending as many games, plays, concerts and award ceremonies as possible. She was present for every sacrament her grandchildren received in the Church to date. Her grandchildren all survive her and will miss her terribly: Jackson and Conor Golden (New Delhi, India and Boston), Erin, Mimi, Sean, Charlotte and Kate Golden (Baton Rouge, LA) Fiona and Daniel Golden (Oak Park, IL) and Lillian, Cecilia and Liam Hughes (Harrisonburg, VA). Joan was a lover of a good mystery novel, musical theatre, swing music, Sudoku, ethnic and gourmet foods and entertaining friends year round, Joan enjoyed the company of countless deep and loyal friendships. A teetotaler by day, Joan enjoyed the ritual of a good Manhattan on the rocks each evening of her adult life. Her family wishes to thank the staff of Forsyth Medical Park, particularly 9North and 9West and ICU, the staff of Kate B. Reynolds Hospice and Joan's ""angels"" at Pennybyrn for their loving and compassionate care. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Winston-Salem at 11.00 AM on Monday, April 18th. A reception follows immediately in the parish center. Burial at 2.00 PM at Forsyth Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial donations be made to either the Pennybyrn Residents' Care Fund, 1315 Greensboro Rd., High Point, NC 27260 or St. Leo's School Catholic School Endowment Fund, 335 Springdale Ave, Winston-Salem, NC 27104. But if you're over 21, and it's okay for you to have a drink, there's no better way to memorialize Joan than with a Manhattan. She treasured simplicity, so here's her recipe: Mix 2 parts bourbon with 1 part sweet vermouth. On the rocks. And enjoy with those you love. That's what she did. Go raibh maith agat, Joan. Tá grá againn duit. Agus slán abhaile. (Arrangements are by Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek) Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com

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