Lillian Goldfine's respect for teachers prompted her a decade ago to create an annual award that honored their work.
Goldfine - who was known for her generosity and compassion - died Wednesday in Scottsdale, Ariz. She was 87.
"Lillian Goldfine cared deeply about education and recognized just how important great teachers are to the success of our students," said Duluth school district Superintendent Bill Gronseth. "Lillian also knew that the efforts of teachers often go unrecognized and wanted to shine a light on their good works."
She and her late husband, Manley "Monnie" Goldfine, established a fund for the Gold Star Teacher Award, which awards a selected Duluth school district teacher $5,000 each year, to be used however the teacher sees fit.
In 2007 she told the News Tribune, "So many people leave scholarship funds, which are very important, but I have always felt that the teachers - the ones who prepare the students for getting the scholarships - deserve some recognition."
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Goldfine also served on the board of the Duluth Public Library during the planning and creation of the current facility, and for several years was a volunteer reader with the Recording for the Blind program. She was a member of Duluth's Temple Israel and was an avid boater and traveler.
Goldfine, who graduated from the University of Minnesota, married Manley Goldfine in 1950. She is survived by her sons Andrew of Duluth and Ken of Scottsdale, and daughter Ellen Troeltzsch of Oriental, N.C. She has three grandchildren.
Arrangements have not yet been announced, but memorials are directed to the Manley and Lillian Goldfine Gold Star Teacher Award in care of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation, 324 W. Superior St., Ste. 212, Duluth, MN 55802 or to the Fannie Goldfine Benton Library Fund, Temple Israel, 1602 E. Second St., Duluth, MN 55812.
