Obituary of Avis Goldson

Our community sadly lost a longstanding pillar on November 10th when Avis Goldson passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones. Avis Amarita Johnson Goldson was born in Cahuita, Costa Rica on April 5, 1917 to Joseph Johnson and Noemy Elethia Morgan Johnson. She was the eldest of two daughters. Sister Clara Johnson White, ten years her junior, now deceased. At the age of 16, Avis left her parents' home in Cahuita, a small rural farming community in Costa Rica to travel to Jamaica, West Indies to study nursing. Avis, a quiet and reserved nursing matron subsequently met and later married Eric Leslie Goldson, a member of the Jamaican Criminal Investigative Department and the eldest of seven siblings. In 1949, after her marriage to Eric and the birth of their three children, Sonia, Flavia and Courtney, Avis immigrated to America to build the foundation that would later enable her husband and children to follow in 1951 and 1953, respectively. Avis and Eric paved the way for countless numbers of family members to come the United States to visit for educational purposes and to reside. Avis is survived by daughters Sonia Odette Goldson Ward and Flavia Valmae Goldson and son Courtney Barrington Goldson. Sonia is the wife of Roland Ward and they have two children, Jaclyn Blake Ward and Amanda Rose Brooke Ward. Flavia is wife of Emmanuel Ohene and the mother of three stepchildren -- Patience, Chris Williams and Ziona Ohene. Courtney is the husband of Yvonne Goldson. Avis is also survived by her three great grandchildren -- Gabriela Almonte (10), daughter of Amanda; Isadora Vargo (8) and Blake Vargo (6), daughters of Jaclyn. Avis was "mother" to many children, now adults. These include goddaughter Lydia Fraser; Desmond George Brown (deceased) and his sister Jeannette Bartley; foster sons, Tommy and Vernon Ricks. She was Aunt Avis to many, including Lascelles Titus, Standford Goldson, Peter Goldson, David Hayle, Carol Hayle, Anthony Goldson, niece, Renee T. White, niece in law, Renee Minus White, Naomi White Randolph and spouse, Javier White and spouse, Michelle Maltais Gurdal and spouse. Javier White, Senior (nephew) predeceased her. She opened her heart and home and offered guidance and support to innumerable others, including Sandra Wright Bartley, the daughter of her best friend, Doris Wright, whom she met while studying nursing at the West Indian Training College and proceeded to maintain a lifelong friendship. Avis was a very spiritual person, exploring several practices throughout her life. In her later years, she became a member of the Redeeming Love Christian Center in Nyack, NY. Avis' lifelong career was nursing. An RN, she dedicated herself to providing concerned and loving care to the nursing home population, working as an RN and a supervising RN. Avis cared deeply about her patients and staff. Avis was an avid seamstress, creating outfits for herself and her children with her impeccable taste. This creativity was seen in her crocheting and knitting, which she passed on to her daughter, Flavia. One of her great grand daughter's Gabriella Almonte, carries on this tradition from years of observing her great grandmother's craft. She was a constant support of her granddaughters and great granddaughters, whether it was driving Jaclyn and Amanda to their skating practices when they were younger, cheering on her great granddaughter Gabriela at a gymnastic events, or being an engaged audience member of her youngest great grandchildren Isadora and Blake's living room shows. Avis had an adventurous and independent spirit. She loved to travel to across the world from several countries in Europe and the Caribbean to visiting her home in Costa Rica. She had an infectious laugh and there was no problem too big for her to solve. We will all miss her dearly. The family would like to express their great appreciation of the loving care provided to Avis by Monique Beresford and Monique's grandson, Royston who lived in Avis' house for the last three years of her life, providing her with love, laughs and great Caribbean food. Much to Avis' delight, her granddaughter Ziona joined the household this summer as well. Thank you to Gloria who was Avis' first-aide friend who helped to manage her mail and made sure she ate breakfast. We also express our appreciation for the countless number of friends who stopped by to visit with her, who called and sent her cards and pictures or plants and flowers over the years. Avis treasured every visit, card and phone call. Memorial visitation will be on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at Colonial Memorial Funeral Home 396 State Route 52 Woodbourne, NY 12788 10-10:30. A Funeral service will begin at 10:30am at the funeral home. Arrangements were under the care of Colonial Memorial Funeral Home for further information please call 845-434-7363/845-292-7160 or visit www.colonialbryantfuneralhome.com.