Congratulations to Deaconess Carol Goldfish on her recognition at the 2006 Waypoint Tribute to Women of Achievement on October 3 in Cedar Rapids. Carol was the Outstanding Award Winner in the Growth/Accomplishments in Personal Life category. This category recognized women who had demonstrated accomplishments and/or overcame obstacles that had significantly enhanced the honoree’s personal life and ability to help others.
Carol Goldfish was a wife and mother to three children, ages 14, 16, and 19, when her husband, a pastor, died suddenly of a massive heart attack in 1983. Faced with the responsibility of single parenthood, Carol was determined to put her three children through college and fulfill her own dream of finishing college to become a teacher. She completed her degree and became a teacher. During her first year of teaching, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Carol continued to teach and in 1992 began work on a Master's degree. By the time she graduated in May 1994, all three of her children had received their college degrees. Her son, Tim, is a Major in the US Army and both of her daughters, Stephanie and Paula, are teachers.
Carol continued to take classes in Clinical Pastoral Education. Carol is now Deaconess/Director of Human Care at Trinity Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids and a part time Chaplain at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics. Through these positions she has been able to touch many people's lives: patients and family at UIHC, grieving individuals and families, and individuals experiencing domestic violence.
She also leads support groups for unwed mothers and spouses of Alzheimer's patients, parenting and marriage classes and workshops on domestic violence.
Carol is a role model for women of all ages and a resource to schools, individuals and families.
