Beatrice Golden, an acclaimed painter, musician, early-childhood educator and resident of Chestnut Hill for half a century, died in her home June 2 after a sustained battle with lung disease. She was 78.
Golden was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to the late John and Luisa Smith. She came to the Philadelphia area with her family as a child and attended Our Mother of Consolation and Girls High School, but graduated from the Abington Friends School. She earned a B.A. in Education from Temple University, subsequently teaching at Montessori schools. She owned Children’s House, a Montessori school in Springfield, Delaware County, from 1973 to 1993 and later taught at Gladwyne Montessori in Montgomery County until retiring in 2002.
Golden also took classes at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, as a student of Kevin Lewellen at The Schuylkill Academy of Fine Art, and as an atelier student with Carlo Russo, a prominent artist known primarily for his floral paintings.
Russo posted a tribute to Golden on Joseph Levine & Sons Funeral Home’s website that read, “I miss going to the studio with Beatrice. We painted, talked, laughed and joked together for 10 years. She became family through all the ups and downs of painting! And I appreciated her wit and intelligence. She was very cultured but could appreciate my juvenile sense of humor too.”
After she retired from teaching, Golden continued to paint in her Chestnut Hill studio and exhibit her work at the Philadelphia Sketch Club, the Bennington Museum of Art and History in Bennington, Vermont, and the Salmagundi Art Club in Manhattan, but most often at Joe Borrelli's Chestnut Hill Gallery.
Borrelli told the Local, “Beatrice was a beloved contributor to our Chestnut Hill Gallery for over 15 years. It was always a delight when she brought her expressive, hyperrealistic oils into the gallery. We always had interesting conversations about not just art but the world at large. She was an authentic and kind person, and she will be very much missed by the Chestnut Hill community and all of us at Borrelli’s.”
Golden's husband, Harold, is the owner of Golden Violins at 7801 Winston Ave. in Chestnut Hill. He has been repairing and restoring string instruments for more than 50 years. “She also played string bass and was in a jazz trio in college,” Harold told the Local. “In fact, we met while we were both playing string bass in the All City High School Orchestra. I went to Olney High School. After that she played string bass with me and played piano until 2023, mostly classical music, and she taught private students. Her favorite composers were Schumann and Schubert. The last piece of sheet music she played is still on the piano.”
Beatrice’s daughter-in-law, April, added, “She was not only a great teacher, artist, and musician, but she ran a great household, cooked like a dream … and ran all the important accounts and billings for Harold's violin shop. She cannot be replaced. The greatest pleasure she had was watching her grandson Isaac perform in his musical shows, playing the violin and piano.”
Beatrice enjoyed a close relationship with her son (and April’s husband) Bill. April said Beatrice was always, “giving advice and structure to him. … She and Bill would even jog together.” Beatrice also loved walking around Chestnut Hill and around Forbidden Drive.
She and Harold also travelled far from home, going on trips to Europe, Central and South America, Malaysia, and Hong Kong.
She loved crossword puzzles, New York Magazine, and books, especially books about animal rights. April said, “The last two books she read were 'The Wisdom of Sheep' and 'The Secret Life of Cows,’ both by Rosamund Young. Dad read to her from the 'Cow' book the night before she died. He thinks he does not want to eat meat now. And she read and felt strongly about how bees are dying and how important they are.”
Funeral services were held June 5 at the Joseph Levine & Sons Funeral Home in Trevose, Penn., followed by interment at Roosevelt Memorial Park in Trevose. The family said there may be a memorial service in the future.
Golden is survived by Harold, her loving husband of 55 years; son William (April) Golden and one grandson, Isaac; two siblings, John (Randy) and Martin Cruz (Emily) Smith; nieces Becky, Luisa, and Nell; nephews Chris and Sam; grandnieces Marisa, Scarlett, and Daisy and grandnephews Benito, Rafael, and Jackson.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Beatrice’s memory may be made to WHYY, Save the Bees, or the National Wildlife Federation.
Len Lear can be reached at LenLear@chestnuthilllocal.com.
