Rosemary Goodwin

With profound sadness we announce the passing of Rosemary, our beautiful mother and friend to all whose lives she touched. She left this earthly plane suddenly, Aug. 30, 2021, due to complications of pneumonia/COVID-19. She began this life on Jan. 17, 1956 in Weymouth, MA, born to John & Mary Lou Raples as their second daughter. She relished in her role of a big sister as their family grew. She was blessed with lifelong devotion when she met Thomas J. Goodwin, Jr. and they married on the snowy evening of Dec. 5, 1981 at the Old North Church in Boston, MA.

Her spirit was wild & creative. She relished in her artistic ability. From painting her ceiling with an American flag as a teen, to creating memorial portraits for friends that lost a pet, hunting through various shops for the “perfect piece” to decorate her home, or simply coloring with her grandchildren, her creativity knew no bounds. Every piece she brought life to had to “go to a good home”. If you are lucky enough to have one of her creations then you are blessed with a piece of her as well as unique art.

She loved animals & nature – she often rescued both. More than once, she “rescued” cacti or other fauna from wherever she found it to take it home to be cared for. She took it as a personal affront if she visited your home & found underwatered plants (she would check every pot when she thought you weren’t looking). She also had a knack for finding the animals that had nowhere left to go. Her lifetime was filled with a menagerie of creatures big & small (cats, dogs, turtles, etc.). Part of her time the past few years was spent volunteering at the Sandra Sue Benson Animal Adoption Center, the local no-kill animal shelter.

Most of all, she loved her family. Blessed with a daughter, two sons, & two stepsons, as well as all of their children; she treasured them all & thoroughly enjoyed the role of “spoiling grandmother”. The name “Nanma” quickly became synonymous with sweets & treats in our homes. She could often be found on various adventures with her mother or playing over FaceTime with her grandchildren.

When not creating beautiful art or amazing children, she was working or volunteering. She spent over 20 years at Stop & Shop Co. making many dear friends while still finding time to sort out any Accounting issues. She obtained her real estate license and enjoyed being the smiling face you first saw at Elite Realty. She also became a Reiki Master and volunteered many hours at Boston’s Brigham & Womens Hospital with her daughter bringing comfort to patients. After moving to Texas (the place where it never snows, as we were all reminded… often), she continued to work as a home health aid for Home Instead caring for those that needed someone to look out for them.

Rosemary touched many lives in many ways. She will be sorely missed & forever remembered. She is survived by her devoted husband, Tom; her loving mother, Mary Lou; her daughter Allison & her husband David McNamara; her two sons Jonathan Goodwin & his partner Kristen Melanson, M. Alexander Goodwin and his

wife Julie; two stepsons Ralph Goodwin, Christopher Goodwin & his wife Kirsten; three brothers, Peter Raples & his wife Sheryl, Mark Raples & his partner Wendy Schuka, Michael Raples & his wife Ann; grandchildren Aiden Babiarz, Aoife McNamara, Camille Goodwin, Theo Mwamba, Kira Goodwin, Maximilian Goodwin, & C. Duncan Goodwin; plus her many cousins, nieces, & nephews. She was preceded in her crossing over by her grandmother Ruth Vane, father John, & her sister Ruth Ann “Jessica” Lane, all of which we know were there to greet her on the other side.

Please join in a celebration of her life with us at 2:00 pm on Oct. 24, 2021 at the Old North Church on Salem Street in Boston, Ma. She hated cutting flowers; so instead please give generously in memory of her to either the congregation of the Old North Church, the Sandra Sue Benson Animal Adoption Center in Aransas Pass, TX, or any no-kill shelter of your choice. Planting a tree, or better yet a flowering plant, would also make her smile (as long as you promise to water it properly).

Memorial donations in her name can be made as follows:

Old North Church

193 Salem Street

Boston ,MA 02113

Or online at: https://onc.breezechms.com/give/online

Sandra Sue Benson Animal Adoption Center

SPCA San Pat County

P.O. Box 1693

Aransas Pass, TX 78335

Or online at: http://spcasanpatcounty.com/contac