Celia Golden, mother of State Senator Marty Golden, dies at 93

State Senator Marty Golden and his large family are mourning their matriarch, with the death, on Sunday, June 15, of Celia Golden, 93.

Celia – who suffered from Alzheimer’s–had been treated at Lutheran Medical Center for pneumonia. She was scheduled to be released when “Her heart just gave out,” said daughter Eileen Golden, who told this paper, “She was a happy lady. And she worked hard very hard all her life.”

Celia was born on September 26, 1921 in Ireland. She eventually moved to the United States. “She had two sisters living here. She came to meet up with them and they helped her settle in,” recounted Eileen.

Celia, nee McGovern, had previously met her husband, Patrick Golden, in Dublin, Ireland. While Celia moved to Brooklyn, Patrick went to England. However, distance didn’t end the strong bond they had. “They kept in touch. They always wrote to each other,” said Eileen. A year later, Patrick also moved to Brooklyn. In 1949, the two got married at Saint Michael’s Church in Sunset Park. The marriage lasted until 1997, when Patrick died.

The couple had eight children, four boys and four girls. “She was very loving, but stern enough with us. You wouldn’t get away too much with her,” recalled Eileen. She was also a grandmother to 16 and a great grandmother to one, “and she had another [great grandchild] on the way.”

Celia became a Bay Ridgeite when she was 28 years old. Along with raising her children, she also worked. “She worked for a telephone company and had other part time jobs,” Eileen said. “She was an information operator with Verizon. At that time it was called Bell. She also helped a lot at the Bay Ridge Manor.”

In addition to her exceptional work ethic, Celia, “loved cooking,” said her daughter. Her favorite dishes to make were Irish soda bread and a variety of desserts. “She also liked to knit. She made a dancing costume for my sister.”

Celia also was a dancer. “She and my father used to go dancing at Peggy O’Neill’s when they had bands play there. They would dance the waltz,” Eileen recalled. “She was very big in the Irish community.”

While Celia battled her illness, Eileen said she never was cared for in a nursing home. “She was always in her own house,” thanks to the efforts of family members, who sang Celia’s praises.

“My mom was a great lady who loved God, life and especially her family,” Donny Golden said. “She was a strong woman with a big heart and a beautiful soul. We will miss her.”

“She will be remembered as a strong, courageous and forward thinking woman,” said Senator Golden in a statement released by his office.

Celia’s wake was held at the Joseph P. Clavin Sons Funeral Home. The funeral mass was held at Saint Anselm Catholic Church. She was interred at Green-Wood Cemetery.

Eileen, along with the entire Golden family will remember Celia the most for her big heart. “She was very loving with her children,” said Eileen. “She loved life and lived it to the fullest.”

Celia Golden is survived by her eight children Martin (Colleen), Vincent (Veronica), Donald, Patricia DeCarlo (the late John), Mary, Eileen (Patrick McGill),Barbara Crowley, and Patrick (Maureen); 16 grandchildren Patrick Golden, Jacqueline DeCarlo, Michael Golden, Vincent Golden, Stephen Crowley, Derick Golden, John DeCarlo, Danny Golden, Kevin Crowley, Nora Crowley, Michael Crowley, Amanda Golden, Christine DeCarlo, Cassandra Golden, Michael Martin Golden, and Patrick James Golden; and great-grandson Patrick Thomas Golden.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Celia’s memory to HeartShare Human Services of New York, Public Affairs Office, 12 MetroTech Center, 29th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201; Phone: 718-422-3210; www.heartshare.org.

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