Hilda Goodman

Hilda Moskowitz Goodman, 90, of Gaithersburg, MD, died peacefully in her home on March 29th, 2024, surrounded by her children and her loving caregiver.  

Hilda was born in Bronx, New York, in 1933 to Joseph and Emma Speter. When Hilda’s parents introduced her to her older sister Evelyn, Evelyn famously remarked: “that is not a baby; that is a chip of a thing,” From then on, Hilda was known as “Chippy,” a nickname she would keep for the rest of her life.  

Hilda’s intelligence and drive, traits she never lost, propelled her to enroll at Hunter College at age sixteen; by the time she was twenty, she had graduated from college magna cum laude. After marrying Martin Moskowitz, at age nineteen, she continued her educational endeavors while raising five children ultimately earning both a Master’s degree and a PhD in English Literature.  Early in their marriage, before settling in Silver Spring, Md,  she and Marty lived in Japan for two years, sparking a love of overseas travel that never faded. Hilda saw a great deal of the world in her life, with her husbands and with many of her grandchildren, who were each gifted a special international trip with her when they were teenagers.  

Upon receiving her PHD, Hilda led an accomplished 25-year career starting at the National Endowment for The Humanities.  She later awarded funding and produced educational television programs at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s Annenberg Project in Washington D.C. Ever the pioneer, she worked remotely for CPB in the 1990s while living in Portland, Oregon. An incomparable role model, her work ethic and never settle for less attitude is apparent in her children who have each had their own flourishing careers.  

Hilda settled in Rockville, Maryland for most of her later life, where she relished spending time with her family.  After the unexpected death of her first husband, Hilda found love again with Martin Goodman, and the couple split time between Maryland and Portland, Oregon so they could spend time with both families. Hilda’s biannual return to Maryland always spurred a big get-together, and with a matriarch like Hilda, the family would always remain close. 

Chippy’s remembered as loving, unexpectedly funny, and endlessly curious. Her children and grandchildren would often prepare answers in advance for the questions she’d ask in her weekly phone calls. The amount she accomplished in her life and the impact she had on those around her makes her death an irreplaceable loss, but she lives on in the sense of wonder and adventure she passed on to everyone lucky enough to know her. 

Hilda is preceded in death by her sister, Evelyn, parents, Emma and Joseph, and first husband, Martin Moskowitz. She is survived by her second husband, Martin Goodman, sons Saul, Joel, and Neil, daughters Ruth and Emily, grandchildren Abby, Debbi, Hannah, Meredith, Matthew, Amanda, Rachel, Carly, and Claire, and great-grandchildren Oliver, Everly, Jamie, and Asher. Her memory is a blessing. 

A funeral and burial service is being held at 1pm on Sunday, March 31 at the chapel at Judean Memorial Gardens in Olney, MD. The service can be live-streamed using this link: https://www.twitch.tv/memorialstreamin 

Shiva will be held from Sunday to Tuesday at the Residence of Scott and Emily Yinger. The family will be receiving daily from 1pm-5pm with Minyan beginning at 7pm. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and The Parkinson’s Foundation.