Dorothy Goodman (nee Hershcopf)

September 1,1930 – January 26, 2026

Dorothy Goodman, loving wife, mother, grandmother (oma) and great grandmother (omama), passed away peacefully surrounded by her daughters on January 26, 2026 at the age of 95. Dorothy was the second child of Irving and Shirley Hershcopf and had an older brother Richard. Richard and his wife Marian were not only relatives but dear friends.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Dorothy attended Erasmus High School and then Washington University in St. Louis.  It was not that common for a young woman of her generation to go to college away from home, but Dorothy knew she wanted to be a social worker and her classes at college prepared her for that career.

Dorothy met the love of her life, Harry, on a blind date arranged by a friend in St. Louis.  They married in 1952 and were devoted to each other for more than 70 years.  They first lived together in Brooklyn, then moved to Queens and then to Rockville Centre, NY.

For many years, Dorothy worked at New York Foundling Hospital, first with foster children and then facilitating international adoptions. Her love for babies and children was not limited to her own family but extended to any baby or child.  She helped many children and families while raising her own four daughters.

Dorothy was a most loving mother who supported and nurtured her girls, enabling them to follow their own paths knowing she was always there if needed.  Nothing made her happier than being oma and she adored her four granddaughters who adored her in return.

Dorothy had many friends from all stages of her life.  Her friendships were important to her and she nurtured them; a trait passed on to her girls. An avid reader and lover of the arts – especially music – Dorothy and her husband took full advantage of living in New York, attending concerts, plays, dance performances and going to museums. She kept a long list of books she wanted to read and could often be found in a comfortable chair reading a book or the newspaper.

Dorothy and Harry also traveled the world.  Curious and open, she loved to explore different cultures, cuisines and landscapes. Paris and Venice were favorites, but they also visited China, Namibia (where two of her granddaughters were born), Kenya, Botswana, India, Morocco and Thailand among many other places.

Dorothy was known for an effortless elegance, ability to make people feel welcome and her fun-loving nature.

She and Harry moved to The Commons in Lincoln, MA in 2010 to be closer to two of their children and grandchildren.

There they made new acquaintances and spent lots of time with their family.

Her warmth and generous spirit, her laugh and her caring for others will be deeply missed.

Dorothy was predeceased by her beloved Harry and is survived by their daughters Nancy, Lisa (John Verda), Denise (Andrew Goodman), and Julie (Scott Kuster), her four granddaughters Danielle (Andrew Castronovo), Jessica (Jordan Wallach), Amanda (Dylan Houge) and Bekah (Nicholas Gauthier) and her great grandson Theo.

Funeral service Sunday, February 1, 2026 at 11:30 am at Temple Beth Shalom, 670 Highland Ave., Needham, MA.

If so moved, donations can be made to Habitat for Humanity Habitat for Humanity or HIAS (refugee assistance)  https://hias.org/