Goldring was born in Kenwood, New York 1888[5] to Frederick Goldring, an orchid specialist at the Erastus Corning estate, and Mary Grey, a local school teacher whose father was the head of the orchid that Frederick was employed.[6] Shortly after, in 1890, Goldring, her parents and her seven sisters and one brother moved to Slingerlands, New York, so her family could operate a greenhouse business.[7] Goldring lived here, in her childhood home, for the majority of her life (81 years).[5][8] Goldring spent her live devout to her education and professional career, and as a result, she never married.