“Sally was the most colorfully dressed person in all of Baltimore.”
–Kelly Knock, a nearby neighbor
Bolton Hill residents who knew her used the same words to describe their West Lanvale Street friend: “colorful;” “cheerful;” “flamboyant;” “sparkling.” Sally Gold, a lawyer and longtime resident of the neighborhood who more recently spent most of her time in New York, died of cancer there last month. She was 75.
“Sally had a sparkling personality as hard to miss as her stylish hats,” said Rob Kasper, who knew her well. “She was an early morning swimmer at Bolton Swim and Tennis Club. On mornings when some of us would be stumbling down Park Avenue, half awake, Sally would be striding up the hill having already completed her laps and soon on her way to work at her law office.”
Her brother called her “a fierce defender of the underrepresented,” in the Baltimore Sun’s lengthy obituary. She practiced family law and while her fees, posted on her website, were high, she famously did scads of pro bono work. She was a founding board member of the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS).
“She had an extraordinary collection of hats. I think she made some of them,” said BHCA President Lee Tawney. “She was very supportive of the neighborhood even after she began spending most of her time in New York,” where her daughter, Alissa, and grandson lived, he said.
“She brought our family so much joy,” said realtor Kelly Knock. “We grew closer to her and Elliot during the pandemic. When the playgrounds were closed, they offered for us to use their large side yard anytime. This was such a kind gesture … we were going stir-crazy with our 3- and 6-year-olds! We would feed their goldfish, play hide and seek, and enjoy an outdoor, socially-distanced conversation with them! As COVID faded, we remained close, and they invited us over for al fresco dinners in their sculpture garden. For holidays, or just for the fun of it, Sally would drop crafts for Wolfe and Greta or a unique item she made or bedazzled – our favorites were the Peep candies she lacquered and made into pins that we still pull out every year.”
Barbara Blumberg remembered her “very creative garden …. It was often decorated by CDs hanging from trees and bowling balls amongst the plants.”
Survivors include her husband of 55 years, Elliot Zulver; their daughter, Alissa Zulver Gold of New York City; her brother, Carl R. Gold, of Baltimore; and a grandson.
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