How old are you? 74 /Senior%20of%20the%20Month/Ann%20Goldstein_thumb.jpg "Ann Goldstein")
Where were you born? Philadelphia
When did you move to Montclair? Income Tax Day of 1983
Why did you move to Montclair? I got a job at Hoffman LaRoche
Are you currently employed? If so, doing what? If you had a career, what was it? I have a doctorate in biology, and my field of expertise is obesity. I was hired as a scientist and ran a lab, and ended up as corporate VP in Partnering that evaluated and then maintained the relationship with outside companies who offered us molecules.
How are you currently engaged in the community? Volunteering with Aging in Montclair, Inc. One of my major volunteer projects was to fact check to the Directory of Senior Services and then help it get online. I’m looking for a way to become more involved politically. I’m in two book clubs, which I enjoy both for the companionship of other women more or less in my cohort and the exposure to types of writing that I would never choose for myself. I am also physically active: I swim every day at the Y or at a swim club.
What are some of the most important lessons you feel you have learned throughout your life? It’s best to face issues/problems head on. It’s important to make others feel you’ve really heard what they’re saying. Love of family and friends can get you through and make you happy. I’m allowed to be happy. I can wish myself happiness. My brother-in-law taught me about loving kindness meditation, which has been very beneficial.
What is your mantra or words you live by? I feel very fortunate and when I’m strong enough to allow myself, I think of how everyone in the world deserves this level of fortune.
What are your plans for future? How does Montclair fit into these plans? Keep as active as possible in all ways, and my desire is to stay in Montclair as long as I possibly can, because of all it offers: easy access to the city, great art and intellectual offerings within the town itself (Montclair Film Festival, the gallery walks), the Farmers Market. I also want to stay because I support the ideals that Montclair is expressing of being an inclusive town and finally having some focus on making older people able to stay and participate in the community. I’m very proud of that. I have family and grandchildren in Glen Ridge, which is a very sweet tie. And our other daughter lives in Fishkill, which is very accessible from here.