Florinda McGoldrick

 Florinda McGoldrick (McNally) passed away peacefully on October 16th surrounded by several family members and loved ones.  Rinda, as she is more commonly known, was born in Philadelphia to the late J. Raymond McNally and the late Emilia McNally (Roma).      Rinda was born and raised in the Mt. Airy neighborhood of Philadelphia, along with her only sibling, Jeanne Dolaway.  Her primary years were spent attending Cecilian Academy, where she formed many meaningful, lifelong friendships. After high school Rinda went on and earned a B.S. in Education from Temple University.  Upon graduating from Temple, she began her “true calling” in the field of elementary education. A true vocation for her, she spent countless hours and her own money to make sure that every one of her students had the opportunities, she felt they deserved.  She truly cherished seeing her former students long after they left her classroom, and to share with them the successes of their lives. She spent nearly five decades as a teacher, with most of that time spent at Norwood-Fontbonne Academy and at the C.W. Henry School.     After a courtship of a couple of years Rinda married her husband Jim, or as she affectionately called him “Seam” for Seamus in 1970.  Soon after they were married, they began a family, which was her true purpose. If you had the pleasure to know Rinda you saw the loving, nurturing and selfless person that she was.  Those qualities were most evident as mother to her three children Jim, Marcie, and Mark. Every event in their lives was important to her. She would do everything in her power to make them meaningful.  That spirit also reached beyond her children to her extended family and friends. Whether it was homemade candy apples and costumes for Halloween or her famous pound cakes that she meticulously decorated for countless occasions, or the advent calendars and innumerable cards that she sent to let you know you were special to her.        In 2002 Rinda welcomed a second daughter into her family when Jim married Susan, who she loved and adored as if she were her own.  That feeling was strengthened when she was blessed with two grandchildren, Molly and Jace. They were the world to her. She continued to be the shining example to them that she was to her own children.  Always a volunteer to babysit, sleepovers with Mom-Mom, vacations together in Ocean City, a guest at school, and over the top Christmas’ and birthdays! As the kids got older, she was a constant supporter and presence at their activities and sporting events.  True to form she became very acquainted with all the kid’s friends, their parents and families as well.        Rinda also volunteered her time to various organizations, most noteworthy was her time spent at  Face to Face in Germantown. She touched so many lives in a positive way and will be dearly missed by her family and friends.  There is a visitation scheduled for Thursday October 24th at St. Genevieve Parish in Flourtown followed by a Funeral Mass on Friday October 25th also at St. Genevieve Parish, no visitation scheduled on Friday the 25th.  Contributions in her name can be made to Face to Face, 123 E Price St, Philadelphia, PA 19144.