Anjalia McGoldrick, an author with local ties, is returning to the area for a book-signing from 6 to 8 p.m. on July 15 at the Holiday Inn Express, 46194 N. I-94 Service Dr., Van Buren Township.
The event will be in the conference room located in the back of the building. Reading of an excerpt begins at 6 p.m., followed by book signing and time to connect. Books will be available for purchase or bring your own to sign. Cake will be served and available while supplies last.
McGoldrick’s book, “The Child I Left Behind,” is a deeply personal memoir, subtitled “A Mother’s Journey Toward Healing & Forgiveness.”
It includes how she was catapulted into adulthood at the age of nine, was pregnant and became a mother at age 13, escaped an abusive relationship at age 16, and now is an advocate for healing and resilience.
She is married to Tom McGoldrick, who graduated from Belleville High School in 1985. He grew up in Haggerty subdivision and went into the Marine Corps right out of high school.
“My aunt, Jackie Verse, also lived in Haggerty subdivision, and Tom was friends with her son. When I was seven years old and Tom was nine, we met at my aunt’s house,” she said, adding she grew up in the Detroit area. “Over the years, we saw each other on occasion when I came to visit, and we started dating when he returned home from boot camp in 1986. We have been together nearly 40 years.”
She said she lived in Belleville Manor mobile home park while Tom was overseas in 1989. She worked as a dental assistant for Dr. Fred Castenholtz, DDS, a dentist whose office was in downtown Belleville. He later moved his practice to Ypsilanti.
“When Tom got out of the Marine Corps in 1989, we came back to Belleville for a short time, then moved to Wayne. However, we spent a lot of time on Belleville Lake on our boat and enjoyed attending the Strawberry Festival in the summer.
“Back in those days I went by my nickname Angel, and later, after going through a spiritual journey I changed my name from Angela to Anjalia,” she said.
“We still have family who lives in Belleville. My aunt and several of her children still live here. Tom’s brother John McGoldrick still lives here with his wife Karen, two daughters, and grandchildren.”
Anjalia and Tom owned a cleaning company for many years called The Blue Angels, and later changed the name to Mr. Maintenance. She said they cleaned houses and the Community Care Center in Belleville and T&C Federal Credit Union near Willow Run, for years before moving to Christiansberg, VA, in 1999.
Anjalia attended Wayne County Community College in Van Buren Township before attending the University of Michigan, where she graduated in 1996. She is a licensed professional counselor, hypnotherapist, metaphysician, entrepreneur, and author.
“We have very fond memories of our years in Belleville and knew this was where we wanted to come back for my book signing,” she said.
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