by Tiffany Elliott
Even years after her retirement, Copiague School teacher Goldean P. King was remembered by her students, and touched so many people’s lives that many of her former students stayed in contact with her.
“She was a role model and inspiration to thousands of students, taking us under her wing and giving us wings,” said former student Karen Meyer Campbell of California.
Goldean P. King died in her sleep on April 8, 2010 at Broadlawn Manor in Amityville. She was 86.
For 25 years, Mrs. King taught English at Copiague High School until her retirement in 1986. She regularly brought students home and cooked for them and kept many off drugs and out of jail, according to her daughter, Deana King of Amityville. “My mother really understood children,” she said. “There were so many things she did that I only found out about after she passed away. She was a strong, loving soul.”
Born in Texas on Feb. 15, 1924, she taught music in schools there for 13 years before moving to Gilbert Place in Amityville. In 1963, she moved to Great Neck Road in Copiague and lived with her daughter who said she was her best friend.
A professionally trained singer, she was also an organist and piano player at First Baptist Church in Far Rockaway and Trinity Lutheran Church in Wyandanch. According to her daughter, she was offered a music scholarship at the University of Vienna. She didn’t accept it because she wanted to stay in New York.
She leaves behind her daughter and her Toy Poodle, Tiffany. She was predeceased by her husband, Mauia King.
Mrs. King reposed at the Powell Funeral Home, Amityville, on April 10, 2010 where Melissa Santos Asbell sang a solo. Interment followed at Amityville Cemetery.

Read this obituary notice and all other local news in the April 28th edition of the Amityville Record, in the mail and on newsstands on Wednesday.