Linda Goldstein

Linda Goldstein passed away peacefully on January 27, 2019, surrounded by her family and friends, at the age of 67. Linda faced her long-term illness with courage, determination, and grace.

Despite coming from humble origins, Linda worked very hard and had a long and robust career in the insurance industry. While working full-time, she attended college at night, and eventually graduated with a bachelor’s degree with honors from Douglass College at Rutgers University.

In her retirement, she volunteered at Princeton Hospital and the Princeton Learning Cooperative. Her life forever changed when she met her true love, soulmate, and husband, Bruce Goldstein. The light of Linda’s life were her children, Sara Goldstein (Jordan) and Daniel Goldstein (Alyssa). Linda was an incredible mother and told her children how much she loved them each and every day. In addition to her husband and children, Linda is survived by her sister, Diane Hajdamowicz; mother-in-law, Evelyn Goldstein (Ascher, of blessed memory); and many beloved in-laws, nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Even with her health issues, Linda lived life to its fullest. She was very loved and will be missed by all who knew her. Memorial contributions may be made to Princeton Medical Center Foundation at www.princetonhcs.org/giving.

Services were entrusted to Mount Sinai Memorial Chapels, East Brunswick. To leave a message of condolence, please visit www.msmc.us.

———

Marilyn A. Lynch

Marilyn A. Lynch, 82, of Princeton died peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at Brandywine Senior Living at Princeton. Born in Buffalo, NY, she was a resident of Princeton for over 46 years. Marilyn was a member of St. Paul’s Church and the Princeton-Pettoranello Sister City Foundation.

Daughter of the late Anthony and Matilda (Cramer) Monaco, she is survived by her devoted husband of 58 years, Charles A. Lynch; her daughters Nancy van der Horst and Cara Lynch; sons-in-law Jan van der Horst and Rafael Alvarez; grandchildren Rose van der Horst and Rafael E. Alvarez; two brothers and a sister-in-law Anthony and Rose Monaco, Jr., David Monaco; niece Victoria Pohlman; and nephews Paul and John Monaco. The family would also like to acknowledge the many caregivers who tended to Marilyn over the last four years.

As a child, Marilyn and her brothers spent five years at the German Roman Catholic Orphanage in Buffalo. Though sadly separated from her parents, she had many fond memories of the care she received from the Sisters of St. Francis. Her mentor, Sister Francesca, inspired her to become a teacher and a lifelong advocate for children. A graduate of D’Youville College in Buffalo, NY, Marilyn started her career as an elementary school teacher, and taught for seven years in the Buffalo area, then South Bend, IN, and Westfield, NJ. 

Marilyn went on to earn her master’s degree in Nutrition from Rutgers University in 1979 and returned to the workforce offering pre/post natal nutritional counseling for the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program in Newark, NJ. She later joined WIC at the NJ State Department of Health in Trenton, as a Program Coordinator and then as Assistant Director for all WIC agencies in NJ for more than 25 years. She was a staunch advocate for children and breastfeeding mothers, and she pioneered policies to address and serve the homeless, those stricken with HIV/AIDS, and more. She addressed many conferences nationwide on the advances that the NJ WIC Program had instituted and she developed a mentoring and internship program to groom recent Nutrition graduates, in an effort to better prepare those joining the field for certification exams. 

Marilyn passionately and determinedly championed causes that she believed in and gave her all to realize her vision. She retired from the Health Department in 2006 and received many accolades for her contributions to the health and welfare of NJ women and children. 

Marilyn was an avid tennis player until her early 70s, and competed in local tournaments and Volvo Tennis. She often advanced to the final rounds, and faced opponents more than 20 years younger. She was a fierce competitor. 

In her leisure, Marilyn enjoyed gardening, local symphony events, going to the Metropolitan Opera in New York, fine dining, and many travels and cruises with her husband, Charles. In 1965, they famously embarked on their first trip to Europe with toddler Nancy in tow. They traveled around Europe for three months with no jobs or home to return to. That was the first of many adventures together.

A memorial mass will be celebrated at St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church, 216 Nassau Street, Princeton at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 8th.  Burial services will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s Church or to D’Youville College.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton.

———

Dede Lawson-Johnston

Dede Lawson-Johnston passed away peacefully on January 28 after a 70-year love affair with her surviving husband, Peter, and decades of devotion to their family. She was born Dorothy Hammond in Owings Mills, MD, to Donald and Molly Hammond and developed a signature mischievous wit at the nearby Garrison Forest School. In 1950, she married Peter, now honorary chairman of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and chairman of the Harry F. Guggenheim Foundation, and together they extended the Guggenheim family legacy in art and philanthropy.

She was a prolific hostess and fundraiser for many causes including the Guggenheim Museum, serving as gala Co-Chair on several occasions, as well as the Princeton Medical Center, New Jersey Neuropsychiatric Institute, and Planned Parenthood. She was known for overwhelming generosity and hospitality to legions of family and friends, and especially enjoyed playing tennis, bridge, and dancing. She was a member of Pretty Brook Tennis Club, The Colony Club, Edgartown Yacht Club, The Present Day Club, The Contemporary Garden Club, Bedens Brook Club, and The Jupiter Island Club.

More than anything, she will always be loved and remembered as the supportive and deeply loyal matriarch of a clan that includes four surviving children and their spouses, Wendy and Tom McNeil, Tania and Sam McCleery, Peter and Karen Lawson-Johnston, Mimi and Nat Howe; her sister Mary “Dumpsy” Hackney; more than 20 grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a lifetime of beloved dogs of every shape, size, and demeanor. Her extraordinary life was celebrated at Christ Memorial Chapel in Hobe Sound, FL, on Monday, February 4. In lieu of flowers, donations will be gratefully accepted by the Garrison Forest School (gfs.org; 300 Garrison Forest Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117).