Submitted by The Family
NORTH SALEM, N.Y. — Longtime American art and furniture dealer Carol Ann Goldberg, who founded Artemis Gallery with her husband, Jesse, was a pillar of the community and longtime resident of North Salem. She passed away unexpectedly on March 15, 2026, of a stroke. She would have been 81 on June 13.
Carol was born in Norwalk, Conn., and by age five knew she wanted a life around horses. This simple but lasting insight came to her after reading a children’s book about a horse who lived on a farm. Horseback riding while at summer camp at age eight completely convinced her. After graduating from Norwalk High School, Carol moved to North Salem, N.Y., where she worked for Frank Tiernery, managing stables, grooming, riding, jumping and learning all there was to know about horses while becoming a top show rider herself.
After gaining the respect of North Salem resident Dick Clayton, a disc jockey at WINS, she lived and worked on his property eventually purchasing it and starting her own business in 1974, named Artemis Farm after the Greek goddess of the hunt. Artemis Farm boarded 30 horses where she and her staff provided various activities such as a jumping clinic and riding skills. She sold horses of high grade that were versatile enough to be trail ridden while also suitable for hunting and showing.
Carol went on to become a highly respected show judge traveling throughout the United States for ten years and was known and respected for her discerning eye, impartial and accurate decisions.
Carol was also passionate about the community she grew to love and was instrumental in nurturing numerous civic organizations that have helped make North Salem one of the most desirable areas to live in. She was president of the Open Land Foundation for 15 years. The equestrian community has improved and grown due to her development of the trail systems, horse land preservation as well as fox hunting events. She was involved in community fund raising and as an environmental advisor to the town.
Carol then went on to become a leading real estate agent in North Salem. She worked in this field for 30 years specializing in horse farms most recently until her death with The Will Stuart Team at Berkshire Hathaway in Ridgefield, Conn. It was work that she loved — she was working until the very last day.
Carol also loved classical music and attended concerts as frequently as possible at Carnegie Hall in New York City, the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts in Katonah, N.Y., and the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra. She enjoyed playing on her Steinway piano and often treated her friends to concerts in her own home. Carol was a devoted gardener of both vegetables and perennials opening her gardens up to local garden tours. Carol entered and completed the New York City Five Boro Bike Tour two consecutive years in the 1990s, and she enjoyed hiking the North Salem trail systems, often bringing friends and family along. She was an enthusiastic reader and belonged to a monthly book club often listening to audio books while driving or hiking. Carol was passionate about all animals, but her Norfolk terrier, Lockie, gave her hours of entertainment, companionship and joy.
Her first marriage ended in divorce, but in 1985 she married Jesse Goldberg at a surprise New Year’s Eve wedding with five select couples. Together, they founded Artemis Gallery, exhibiting at some of the top East Coast antiques shows. He predeceased Carol in 2025. She is survived by her two brothers Alan P. Fishman (Janet E. Teller) of Fairview, N.C., and Jerry Fishman (Amalia) of Boca Raton, Fla., and Norwalk, and several nieces and nephews. Carol also leaves behind numerous friends and colleagues who will miss her wit, wisdom and dynamic energy.
A memorial tribute is being planned for later this spring when her gardens are in bloom.
