Mayor’s mother dies at 93

Dan Kulin

Tuesday, May 11, 2004 | 9:27 a.m.

Laura Goodman, mother of Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman and a professional sculptor who recently moved to Las Vegas to be closer to her family, died Friday at Valley Hospital Medical Center. She was 93.

"She was an extraordinary woman who was way ahead of her time," Goodman said. "Everyone who knew her was touched by her and is mourning today and missing her."

Laura Goodman was born in Chester, Pa., and moved from Philadelphia into the Seville Terrace in Summerlin about 18 months ago, the mayor said.

Goodman, who received a doctorate in art therapy while in her 70s, spent much of her life as a professional artist in Philadelphia. She received the Philadelphia Professional Sculptors Award in the 1970s and taught sculpting to the blind.

The mayor said his mother, who lived on her own, moved to Las Vegas to be closer to some of her grandchildren who had gone to college, medical and law school in Philadelphia and returned to the area.

After moving to Las Vegas, Laura Goodman became active with the Las Vegas Art Museum, including lecturing there a few weeks ago, the mayor said.

There was a service for family Sunday.

Laura Goodman is survived by three younger sisters; three children, including the mayor; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, the mayor said.