Barbara Ann (Allison) Goldstein, 82, died peacefully after a long illness in Fernandina Beach, Florida on July 6, 2024. Born in Oak Park, she was a forthright, warm-natured woman who always fought for what she knew to be right and for those she loved. She earned a PhD in English Literature from the University of South Florida (1975) and was a professor of English at Louisiana State University at Alexandria. Later in life she changed careers and earned a JD from the University of Florida (1993) and became an attorney in family law with her own practice, Goldstein Law Firm in Sylva, North Carolina, retiring in 2013.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Harriet and David Allison Sr.; her brother, David Allison Jr.; and her husband, Sidney Goldstein. She is survived by her three children, Eric Goff, Laura Steelman, and Ben Taylor; and her four grandchildren, Nick Steelman, Nathan Steelman, Abby Goff and Nori Goff.
An informal memorial service is planned in Sarasota, Florida in late September.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to Cats Angels (https://catsangels.org) to honor Barbara’s longstanding kindness to strays.