Ada D. (Maislen) Goldstein

Ada D. Goldstein, 94, of Brookdale West Hartford, formerly of Fox Chase Lane, West Hartford and Shore Road, Clinton, died peacefully on Tuesday, December 29, 2020. Born in Hartford, Ada was the daughter of the late Samuel Maislen, MD and Elizabeth Aisenberg Maislen. She was predeceased by her son, Lawrence Goldstein and her husband, David Goldstein. She leaves a son, Richard H. Goldstein and his wife Debra of West Hartford; a daughter Elizabeth A. Goldstein of Clinton; and two grandchildren: Katie and Sarah Goldstein. Ada graduated from Weaver High School in May, 1943 and from Connecticut College in May, 1947. From 1947-1949 she worked for Mrs. Auerbach in the G. Fox & Co. Woman’s Service Bureau. The Bureau, funded by the Auerbach Foundation, was responsible for outreach and hosting community events. Ada organized one such event that brought Eleanor Roosevelt to speak in Hartford. Ada subsequently went on to work for CIGNA (formerly Connecticut General) and rose through the ranks to become the Executive in charge of large institutional group insurance for the US. She retired from her 20-year career at CIGNA in 1988, the year her first grandchild was born, to be a full-time grandma. The following year she also started working for the Mandell Jewish Community Center in the childcare room, retiring from this beloved role after nearly 30 years. Ada always made time for outside activities: playing bridge with close friends, knitting sweaters and afghans for the family, baking the best Toll House cookies by the billions but mostly Ada enjoyed being with the family at the beach in Clinton. At the beach, she was up for anything as long as it involved being with the kids and grandkids – from water skiing to fishing to making the most succulent baked stuffed lobster. She was mom, camp counselor, chef, sage and cuddler. Throughout her life, Ada epitomized strength and courage, compassion and understanding, wisdom, love and faith. Family was held above all else. She set the bar high and always showed us the way. And for that, we shall always be grateful. Funeral services were held in the Beth El Temple Cemetery, Avon on Thursday, December 31. Rabbi James Rosen officiated. Memorial contributions may be made to The Ada Goldstein Childcare Fund at the Mandell JCC, 335 Bloomfield Ave., West Hartford, CT 06117 or to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, PO Box 5028, Hagerstown MD 21741-5028. For further information, or to share memories of Ada with her family, please visit her family online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Ada Goldstein Childcare Fund at the Mandell JCC, 335 Bloomfield Ave., West Hartford, CT 06117 or to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center,PO Box 5028, Hagerstown MD 21741-5028.