VIRGINIA BEACH – Dorothy Stavin Goldman, known by most as “Dottie,” passed away peacefully on August 10, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
She courageously battled cancer since 2019. She fiercely fought with strength, bravery, determination, and plenty of humor along the way. She always lifted the spirits of everyone around her and reassured family and friends often with comforting words.
She is survived by her loving husband, Dr. Charles J. Goldman, her children, David Goldman, and Laura (Marc) Wingett and grandchildren, Harrison and Brendan Wingett, who brought her immense joy. She is also survived by her brother, Richard Stavin (Dea) of California, niece, and nephew, Danielle and Justin Stavin. She was the daughter of Irwin and Gertrude Stavin of blessed memory and was born on March 3, 1944.
Dottie grew up in New York and graduated from Hofstra University with a major in Spanish. During her post graduate studies in Spanish, she attended a weekend retreat at Grossinger’s in the Catskills with close friends. That is where she met the love of her life, Dr. Charles J.
Goldman, and four weeks later they became engaged. They were married on March 29,1969 and celebrated 56 wonderful years together.
She worked for Eastern Airlines at JFK Airport as a Ground Hostess assisting non-English- speaking passengers and taught Spanish in Merrick, New York. Dottie also volunteered at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York and served as an interpreter. After she got married, she chose to stay at home to raise her children. When her children were older, she obtained her real estate license. She had a highly successful career in real estate and achieved numerous awards.
Throughout her life, she surrounded herself with books. She was an avid reader and always read multiple books at a time. She attended many book clubs, Mah jong and canasta groups through the years. Although she was a self-proclaimed introvert, she loved that time with her friends. The New York Times crossword puzzle was a breeze for her, and she frequently displayed her knowledge by watching Jeopardy- her information retrieval was unmatched. Whenever there was a vocabulary word we did not know, even the most obscure word, she knew it. The scrabble board was her domain.
She was a lifelong learner, valued education, research, and the arts. Dottie set goals for herself and in her 50s completed the requirements to become a certified yoga teacher and learned to play golf. Her husband had been a long-time golfer, and they enjoyed spending time with each other on the golf course. Dottie also enjoyed playing golf with a women’s group at Bayville Golf Club.
She loved music and attended Symphonicity regularly. Whether she was listening to meditation music or The Rolling Stones, music always grounded her. Listening to her grandson perform made her so proud. She would always say, “He’s definitely an Ephraim” (The side of her family with extraordinary musical talent.)
Community involvement was particularly important to her. She was the recipient of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater Leonard Strelitz Young Leadership Award, UJFT co-chair of Super Sunday, UJFT Women’s Division chair, president of The National Council of Jewish Women, UJFT executive committee, Hebrew Academy of Tidewater board member, Cape Henry Collegiate board of trustees, Tidewater Children’s Foundation board member, Jewish Film Festival committee, Life Time Hadassah member, and Virginia Stage Company task force.
She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to many. She will be remembered for her wisdom, strength, and courage. If there is one thing she taught us throughout her battle, it is “don’t put off until tomorrow, what you can do today.”
A graveside service was held at Forest Lawn Cemetery with Rabbi Jacob Herber officiating.
Donations to The American Cancer Society, or charity of choice. Condolences may be left at www.altmeyerfh.com.