About the Author

Lee Goldman Kikel grew up in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, where her early years revolved around school— Wightman School and Taylor Allderdice High School—and the family jewelry business.

Lee recalls her time in the store with great fondness, and she can measure her life’s prog­ress through those happy mem­ories. As a little girl she played jacks on the floor while her father crafted jewelry and waited on customers, and her mother han­dled the books, sold merchandise, and helped with day-to-day business operations. Soon she matured from play­ing to helping, then to a more regular job, continuing through her college years at the University of Pittsburgh. She remembers earning her father’s hard-won approval to wait on customers as an exciting milestone in her life. Even as an adult, she would help out after her day job or on weekends during the busiest times.

Lee earned a BS in psychology and a master’s degree in education, then worked in the mental health field as a rehabilitation counselor. Now retired from that career, she is involved in a variety of interests and activities. Lee is an avid traveler, gardener, and muscle car enthusiast. She lives in suburban Pittsburgh with her husband and son, and their two dogs, Emily and Bryce.