ANNABELLE MARIE NEUBECKER GOLEM
Annabelle Marie Neubecker Golem, 85, of Boyd Street, Andrews passed away Monday, Sept. 8, 2008 after a period of declining health.
Born on November 17, 1922 in Buffalo, NY, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Martha Hebeler Neubecker and the wife of the late Arnold Edward Golem, who died in 1985. She moved to Andrews with her husband and five children in July 1966. She was a homemaker and enjoyed many creative pursuits including quilting, oil painting, gardening, knitting, sewing, and baking. She worked as a clerk in Khouri’s Department Store on Main Street from 1974-1985. Ann was a generous woman, and almost everyone who knew Ann was a recipient of one of her creative endeavors – an oil painting, a knitted or quilted item, a delicious German coffee cake or homemade loaf of bread. She will be remembered by many people for her wonderful pizza parties in which her large bowl of yeasted pizza dough seemed to miraculously multiply as she took more out of it – feeding dozens of people with leftovers to spare. She had the ability to put people at ease; a complete stranger would often tell her their life story after only a few minutes of meeting her. Her family will always remember her ability to find humor and optimism in almost every situation.
She is probably most proud of her work and contribution to the early establishment of Industrial Opportunities Incorporated (IOI), a sheltered workshop in Andrews, which she and others spearheaded in the early 1970’s in order to provide a meaningful work environment for their own adult children with handicaps. She served as the first president beginning in 1974, and remained active on the board for several years thereafter. As a result, hundred of lives have been enriched and made meaningful by her initial vision and commitment. She often said of those with mental or physical handicaps, “These people have been placed on this earth for a purpose.” She believed that everyone could have a meaningful and contributive life, and she worked to make that ideal a reality. Her son, Paul, remains an active employee at IOI after 33 years, and her family knows that Ann rests peacefully knowing that he is socially active and happy there.
Ann enjoyed times when all her children and their families and friends could be together at her home in Andrews. Her family will deeply miss her humor and calm presence at every family gathering. Ann rarely worried or complained about the small things in life, but rather had a deep faith that all things would work out for the best. She often said, “When life give you lemons, make lemonade.”
Ann was a member of the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church where she was active in Our Lady’s Guild.
Ann was also preceded in death by two brothers, Jim Neubecker and Harold Neubecker.
She leaves behind many good and supportive friends including two special friends, Mike and Ruth Bias of Brasstown.
Surviving are five children, Anita Goodson and husband, David of Atlanta, GA, Paul Golem of Brasstown, James Golem and wife, Kathy of Oshkosh, WI, John Golem and wife, Jeanette of Greenville, SC, and Lisa Owens and husband, Jack of Richmond, VA; eight grandchildren, Davy and Chris Goodson, Chris and Jonathan Golem, Johnna Golem, and Emily, Hunter, and Abigail Owens; four great grandchildren, Quin, Annabelle, Daniel, and Maddox Goodson; a loving sister and best friend, Betty Lou Carpenter and husband, Donald of Getzville, NY; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A funeral mass to celebrate the memory of her life and contribution was held at 11:00 AM Friday, Sept. 12 in the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. Interment was in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers were David and Chris Goodson, Hunter Owens, Jonathan Golem, Tom O’Brien, and Andrew Reichman.
The family received friends from 6-8 Thursday evening at the Ivie Funeral Home, Andrews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Annabelle Marie Neubecker Golem to IOI, PO Box 1649, Andrews, NC 28901.
Ivie Funeral Home, Andrews in charge of all arrangements.
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