Shirley Goldstein Taggart (née Markowitz)
August 3, 1929 to November 23, 2024
The family of Shirley Goldstein Taggart (née Markowitz) is saddened to announce her passing on (date) in Charleston, SC, at the age of 95.
Shirley will be dearly missed by her daughters, Gail Wagaman (Lane) and Lynn Goldstein (Gil Rothenberg); her stepdaughters, Sherie Snead (Jim), Debbie Taggart (Coleman Zubar), Linda Schnell (Byran), Liz Rosenberger (Larry); her grandchildren, Josh Wagaman (Laura), Audra Wagaman (Matt Merschbach), Artie Rothenberg (Shangyu Yan); her great-grandchildren, Rose and George Wagaman, and Hattie and Sophie Merschbach; her step-grandchildren, David, Mike, and Daniel Snead, Ashby Rosenberger, and Brandon and Seth Kidd; and nine step-great-grandchildren.
Shirley was predeceased by her parents, Hattie and Selig Markowitz; by two loving and devoted husbands, her first husband, Arthur Goldstein, and her second husband, Richard C. (Sam) Taggart; and her stepdaughter, Laura Kidd (Michael).
Shirley and her twin brother, Sidney, were born on the kitchen table of her parents’ home in Mullens, WV, where she spent her childhood. She graduated from Marshall College with a degree in art, and she taught for a short time in Mullens, before marrying Arthur Goldstein and moving to Beckley, WV. Shirley was always artistic, and she displayed her gifts by winning awards for her beautiful flower arrangements and for her paintings. After the death of Arthur Goldstein, her husband of thirty years, she met and married Richard C. (Sam) Taggart of Lewisburg, WV, to whom she was married for twenty-two years, until his death. During her time in Lewisburg, Shirley was juried into the West Virginia Water Color Society, and Sam took pleasure in framing her paintings for display and sale. Shirley was an avid homemaker and was blessed to have the love of two wonderful husbands, who adored her. Shirley was a loving mother, stepmother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and she was cherished by her many friends for her sense of humor, her sweet smile, and her welcoming and loving nature.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, friends are encouraged to donate to a favorite charity in her memory.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Harmony at West Ashley for their years of love and kindness, with special thanks to the many loving caregivers in Harmony Square, who helped her leave this life with kisses, love, and laughter. The family also wishes to extend a special thanks to Wren Hospice and their dedicated, kind, and loving staff for their care and compassion.
Information submitted by Melton Mortuary and Cremation Center of Beckley, WV.
