Grace Martin Golsan

GOLSAN, GRACE MARTIN, 93, long time resident of Birmingham, Alabama died peacefully at her home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Grace was born in Greensboro, Alabama August 26, 1916 to William Martin and Ida Pilkerton Martin. She spent her childhood riding in a horse and buggy as well as one of the first Model T's. Grace went to college at the University of West Alabama, Livingston State and studied history and literature. While there, she was inspired by a lecture from Helen Keller, "Life is an adventure or it is nothing at all." Later, she transferred to (Howard College) Samford University, and was the first in her family to receive a Bachelors degree in 1938. Grace had a long teaching career in all grades spanning elementary to high school. Her career in teaching included Oneonta, Atmore, Minor, Crumley Chapel and later traveled Jefferson County as a Curriculum Specialist. After retirement, she found great joy teaching Navaho students in Twin Wells, AZ and Cherokee students in Cherokee, NC. "Grace Golsan was a teacher who used experiential hands-on learning. Her lessons were full of adventure and, she nurtured in students a love of learning," says a former student. She was selected as a Valley Forge Teacher of Excellence for her ability to inspire students to strive for excellence She believed..."The important thing is not so much that every child should be taught, as that every child should be given the wish to learn." Grace's life was rich in loving relationships. Positively touching the lives of people was important to her and she passed on a legacy of loving others. Grace Golsan passed her exceptional teaching gifts on to her children and children's children. In 1940, she married William Gordon Golsan, a teacher and coach. They were married 56 years until his death in 1996. She and Gordon have two children, William Gordon and Virginia Grace. Both children have earned doctorates. Gordon's wife, Wanda Lea Golsan, is also a teacher. Ginger's husband, Les Bouma, is a commercial pilot and flight instructor. She had 4 grandchildren: Bill Golsan (wife, Denise), both teachers; Kris Hoyt, a teacher (recently deceased in 2009) (husband, Steve Hoyt); and Ginger's children, Jonathan and Leanna Bouma. Grace has 5 great-grandchildren: Abby Golsan, Emma Golsan, Andi Golsan, Taylor Hoyt, and Jordan Hoyt. Grace has a loving extended family of nieces and nephews. Grace valued love and beauty. She was an artist who could turn the natural world into a realistic picture. Wherever she went, she spread eloquence and "grace" as she used her natural talent of creating beauty with simple things. Grace made a home that was welcoming creating emotional and spiritual warmth. She served others by offering her house as a gathering place where relationships could be nurtured and friendships built. She was a Charter member of the Forestdale Church of the Nazarene. Previously, she led children's ministry at First Church of the Nazarene in Birmingham. "Aunt Grace" was the storyteller of Millport Camp and spent many summers making an impact on the lives of children across the state of Alabama. In 2000, Grace drove herself up the Alcan Highway to Anchorage, Alaska. Grace was blessed with a second grandson and a second granddaughter while living with her daughter, Ginger and son-in-law, Les. While there, she saw much of Alaska, enjoyed the great northern outdoors via bush plane, boat, train and witnessed driving her car in three feet of new snow. After five years, Alaska winters were becoming too cold so she fled south to sunny New Mexico and spent her last years near her son, Gordon and his wife, Wanda. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to The Kris Golsan Hoyt Memorial Scholarship, Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego, CA 92106 or to Leanna Bouma's Race Team Fund for Paralympic Training with Challenge Alaska. You may donate via credit card or by check to Challenge Alaska noting "Leanna Bouma Race Fund" www.challengealaska.org. In the memo line put "Leanna Bouma Race Fund". Mail to PO Box 1166 Girdwood, Ak 99587. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.bell-forestdale.com. Bell Funeral Home Forestdale directing. Grace's local funeral arrangements was entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services 2400 Southern Blvd SE Rio Rancho, NM 87124 (505) 891-9192