Barbara Fisher Goldstein

Barbara Fisher Goldstein (nee Edelstein) of Golden Valley, MN died peacefully on 21 August 2011 after a long illness. Born 14 April 1938 in Duluth, MN the daughter of the late Max and Sara Lee Edelstein, she grew up in Hibbing, MN where she was valedictorian of her high school graduating class in 1956.

Barbara received a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from Wellesley College; then attended New York University Law School, receiving her JD and a master’s degree in tax law. She clerked for the Honorable Irving Ben Cooper, U.S. District Judge, Southern District of New York. Her career as a lawyer spanned five states. She was admitted to the Bar in New York, California, Washington, Arizona and Minnesota.

In her early career Barbara’s concern for the under-served led her to work as a trial attorney for legal aid societies in New York City, San Francisco, Seattle, and Tucson. Before entering private practice, she served as an assistant attorney general to then-Attorney General Bruce Babbitt in Arizona. She served as president of Arizona Women Lawyers Association.

Her passion for the elderly was fulfilled in her private practice with a focus on elder law and estate planning, and through teaching elder law as an adjunct professor at both the University of Arizona and the William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul MN. She served as an administrative law judge for Arizona and Minnesota. For many years she was an active member of the Minnesota Bar Elder Law Committee serving as Chair for several years

Barbara was an avid runner, completing three New York Marathons and receiving a number of medals from Minnesota racing groups. She was a flute player and choral singer. She received the Dedicated Service Award from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers for outstanding performance as Corresponding Secretary of the organization’s Auxiliary. She served on the Board of Directors of the Talmud Torah Foundation.

Barbara is survived by husband Richard Goldstein; sons, Hugh Fisher (Maria), Joshua Fisher and Michael Fisher (Anne); stepsons, Arthur Goldstein, Jonathan Goldstein and Benjamin Goldstein; stepdaughter, Naomi Goldstein; brother, Charles Edelstein (Sara); sister, Jean Schore; her wonderful caregiver, Eleanor Egan, and nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

Funeral service TUESDAY 11:30 am at BETH EL SYNAGOGUE, 5224 W 26th St, St Louis Park. Shiva will be 7:00pm Tuesday, 23 August, 4241 Bassett Creek Drive Golden Valley, MN 55422.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the Sierra Club.